Annie Machon worked for 6 years as an intelligence officer for MI5, the UK domestic Security Service. During that time she worked on political and terrorist targets.
In 1997 she resigned from the service with her former partner and colleague David Shayler, and supported him when he blew the whistle against the crimes and the incompetence of the spies. The story made headlines around the world. They had to go on the run around Europe and live in exile in France for 3 years.
Since then, Annie has become an author, media pundit, journalist and campaigner. Her experiences have given her a rare perspective both on the inner workings of governments, intelligence agencies and the media, as well as the wider implications for the need for increased openness and accountability in both public and private sectors.
Speaking experience:
Annie talks regularly on a variety of issues:
- security and intelligence
- the war on terror
- press and media freedoms
- secrecy legislation
- civil liberties
- accountability in government and business
- “On the Run” - the personal story
Sample Venues:
As well as having done hundreds of media interviews in the UK and internationally, over the last 13 years her speaking experience includes:
- MPs in both the Houses of Parliament and the Scottish Parliament
- Oxford Union Society, 2006
- ETH-0, NL, 2009 and 2010
- CCC Sigint conference, Cologne, 2010
- Understanding Deep Politics conference, California, 2010
- Fringe meetings at political party conferences + a bit part here with Mark Thomas, 1998
- The Campaign to Make Wars History National Tour, 2009
- Vers la Verite conference, Paris 2009
- Rotary Clubs
- Schools
- IT Defense Conference, Hamburg 2008
- International Islamic Fair, Malaysia, 2007
- CCC international hackers’ conference, Berlin 2007
- “An Evening with...” at UK theatres, Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, 2005
- Huddersfield University Intelligence Studies course, 2006
- Cardiff University Journalism course 2006
- William Rodriguez European speaking tours, "Last Man Out" 2007 -2008
- Festivals
- Introducing US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, European Tour, 2007
- National Union of Journalism national conferences
- Foreign press corps
- Cafe Diplo - La Monde Diplomatique, 2005
- Political rallies
- Anti-war rallies
- Trades Union branch meetings
- Sheffield University investigative journalism course
