John Scarlett begins his new job this morning as head of MI6, but according to the Times, the growing view in Whitehall is that he is "damaged goods".

Scarlett is now facing claims that in March he tried to distort a report by the Iraq Survey Group, the body set up to hunt for Saddam Hussein's supposed arsenal of banned armaments.

One former intelligence officer said last night: "This is the worst possible start for him as he begins his new job. He wanted a fresh start for the service but you get the sinking feeling this is never going to end while he is around."