Dearlove argues UK government has already made huge strides in transparency, with major documents now publicly available online.
“In the past, I would make a secret. It's there. Who's read the strategic effects review? And as I say, secrecy should only be used exceptionally.”
Dearlove challenges claims that leaving the EU would reduce UK security.
“The argument that we would be less secure if we left the EU is, in reality, rather difficult to make.”
Dearlove rates Brexit turbulence near five out of ten and believes UK can emerge strong with self-confidence.
“I would pick near a five. I think we can emerge from that in a pretty strong position if we do not lose self belief and self confidence.”
Dearlove rates UK's Brexit position as near five out of ten, predicting strength after turbulence.
“two years of turbulence? Probably near a five. I would pick near a five. I think we can emerge from that in a pretty strong position”
Dearlove criticizes George Osborne for being extremely uncritical in embracing the Chinese relationship.
“Personally pretty fed up with George Osborne. I think he was extremely uncritical in the way that he was willing to embrace the Chinese relationship.”
Dearlove criticizes Cameron and Osborne for misunderstanding intelligence implications of Brexit debate.
“If they'd come and asked me and sat down with me, I could have explained to them why they'd got this wrong.”
Dearlove says Official Secrets Act penalties for disclosure are only two years and need increasing.
“I think what would be the main characteristic of the changes, the penalties for disclosure will be much higher than they are hitherto at the moment.”
Dearlove says the government's handling of the China spy case looks like appeasement despite official denials.
“And it it, you know, it looks awfully like appeasement, yet we're being told it isn't.”
Dearlove alleges behind-the-scenes intervention to drop the China spy prosecution case.
“it looks very much as though in this case, something behind the scenes was done to drop this prosecution.”
Dearlove says the dropped China spy case looks like appeasement despite government denials.
“it looks awfully like appeasement, yet we're being told it isn't. You know, it's terrible cliche, but if it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it probably is a duck.”
Dearlove says dropped prosecution is another nail in credibility of current UK government.
“And, of course, it's another nail in the credibility of this government. Unfortunately, it puts them in a very damaging and weak position.”
Dearlove advocates two-year national service option for NHS or military to build social cohesion.
“I think it would create greater social cohesion. I think it would create a better sense of national identity.”
Dearlove criticizes UK budget for failing to prioritize national security and defense spending first.
“how could you possibly have a budget statement in parliament in the current state that we're in where the chancellor of the exchequer doesn't refer to national security and defense?”
Dearlove argues state security is government's first responsibility, more important than the NHS or individual health.
“It's more important than National Health Service. I mean, you take a Ciceronean view of the state, the security of the state is the first responsibility of the government.”
Dearlove criticizes UK government for wrapping intelligence budget into defense budget to inflate spending figures.
“Actually, at the moment, and I'm pretty critical of this, the overall SIV has been wrapped up into the defense budget to make the defense budget look bigger, which is a bit of a cheat because the government are very keen to show that they're increasing defense spending.”
Dearlove says UK needs 5% GDP defense spending, government should cut welfare but won't due to left wing influence.
“They need to up to 5%, and all they have to do is to cut the welfare budget. But of course, this government is the prisoner of its left wing and they can't do that.”