Murder inquiry begins after police discover body of man believed to be UK intelligence officer

Murder inquiry into death of suspected UK spy

LONDON — Police say they have launched a murder inquiry after the body of a man reported by British media to be an intelligence officer was discovered in a central London apartment.

London’s Scotland Yard said Wednesday that a corpse was found on Monday inside an apartment close to the headquarters of the MI6 spy agency.

British media reported the man worked for Britain’s eavesdropping agency GCHQ and was on a secondment to MI6.

Police and Britain’s Foreign Office — the ministry that oversees MI6 — declined to confirm the victim’s details, citing sensitivity over intelligence issues.

An autopsy was due to be carried out later Wednesday. Police declined to provide further details in the case, but said detectives have several lines of inquiry.