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#JAMES BOND LICENSE TO KILL FUN SERIES#
The idea of a licence to kill is popularly known from the James Bond novels and films, where it is signified by the "00" (Double O) designation given to the agents in the series who are licensed to kill Bond himself is famously agent 007. įormer MI6 agent Matthew Dunn stated that MI6 agents do not need a licence to kill as a spy's primary job is to violate the law in other countries, and if an agent is compromised, they are at the mercy of the authorities of that country. ĭearlove also testified in the same inquest that he was unaware of anyone ever having been assassinated by MI6 during his time as head from 1999 to 2004.
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Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of the UK Secret Intelligence Service MI6, testified in court as part of the 2007–2008 Diana, Princess of Wales Inquest in agreement with a statement that the SIS (MI6) could only use force "likely to cause injury" if specially authorized to do so by the UK Foreign Secretary. The legitimacy of deadly force usage from country to country is generally controlled by statute, particular and direct executive orders, the common law, or rules of engagement. It is well known as a literary device used in espionage fiction. The initiation of lethal force is in contrast to the use of lethal force in self-defence or the protection of life.
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JSTOR ( October 2012) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī licence to kill is a licence granted by a government or government agency to a particular operative or employee to initiate the use of lethal force in the delivery of their objectives.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.įind sources: "Licence to kill" concept – news Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.
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