英國秘密情報局(Secret Intelligence Service, SIS),又稱為「軍情六處」(MI6),是英國對外的情報機構,於1909年成立,負責在海外進行間諜工作。自1569年伊莉莎白一世時期英國國務大臣弗朗西斯·沃爾辛厄姆爵士創建英國保密局後,曾幾度變更其機構形式,直到1912年由曼斯菲爾德·卡明海軍准將組建成現在這樣的機構。
20世紀30-40年代,它被公認為世界上能效最高的情報機構。在納粹德國侵略歐洲時,它在歐洲,南美洲以及亞洲大部地區從事諜報活動。當美國參加第二次世界大戰時,它曾幫助美國戰略情報局(後改組為中央情報局)培訓情報人員。從那時起,這兩個機構之間一直保持著合作關係。從50年代中期開始,關於蘇聯間諜自30年代起進入其組織內部的醜聞敗露,引起人們震驚。該局有權審查與其工作相關的新聞,故其內部運作仍然相當神秘。007系列電影則以該處為主要題材。
SIS collects secret intelligence and mounts covert operations overseas in support of British Government objectives. The parameters for these activities are laid down in the Intelligence Services Act 1994, which states that SIS functions are to obtain and provide information and perform other tasks relating to the acts and intentions of persons overseas:
- In the interests of national security, with particular reference to the government's defence and foreign policies;
- in the interests of the economic well-being of the UK; and
- in support of the prevention or detection of serious crime.
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) was established in 1909 as the Foreign Section of the Secret Service Bureau. The Foreign Section's responsibility for overseas intelligence collection has been retained ever since by SIS under a variety of names and acronyms. This responsibility was placed on a statutory basis in the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
SIS contributes to the larger inter-departmental national intelligence community, where it works closely with the other two British intelligence and security agencies, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the Security Service (MI5).
英國的黛安娜王妃在16年前的8月31日因為在巴黎公路發生車禍不幸身亡,至今黛妃的死因仍是個謎。根據先前情報指出,英國空勤部隊(SAS)就是背後主謀,但未有證據證明,因此僅被認為是外界揣測黛妃死因的眾多版本之一。不過,一名作家向英國《每日郵報》透露,證實這項說法,並提出有利證據,指英國情治單位MI6才是主謀,其高層下令SAS執行任務。