Britain’s domestic intelligence agency MI5 has barred white British students from applying to its 2027 Summer Intelligence Internship programme, according to eligibility criteria published on its official careers page. The restriction applies even to candidates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Applications for the internship, scheduled to run from June 28 to August 20, 2027, are confined to final and penultimate year students from “black, Asian, mixed heritage or ethnic minority background” who also meet specific socio-economic criteria. The agency states the measure addresses “underrepresentation” within its workforce. Is this diversity push or outright discrimination?
Successful candidates will receive £4,849 with accommodation provided where necessary. They’ll work across sites in Central and West London on what MI5 describes as “meaningful contributions to real projects.” GCHQ is reportedly running a similar programme.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp labeled it “flagrant racism,” arguing applications should be “merit-based and colour blind.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused the government of using taxpayer funds to fuel “anti-white prejudice across the public sector.” Minister Dan Jarvis defended the programme in July, stating it’s lawful under the Equality Act 2010 and designed to encourage underrepresented demographics into national security careers.
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