Katharine Gun

Date of Birth: February 1974

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Biography

Katharine Gun is a British linguist and former employee at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), a British intelligence agency. She gained international attention in 2003 when she leaked a top-secret memo revealing that the United States had requested British help in spying on United Nations diplomats to secure votes for the invasion of Iraq. This act of whistleblowing led to her being charged under the Official Secrets Act 1989, although the charges were later dropped. Gun’s courageous stand against what she saw as an illegal war has made her a prominent figure in the anti-war and whistleblower movements. Her story was later adapted into the film “Official Secrets” (2019), where she was portrayed by Keira Knightley.

5 Interesting Facts about Katharine Gun

1. Katharine Gun was working as a Mandarin Chinese translator at GCHQ when she leaked the memo.

2. She was charged under the Official Secrets Act 1989, but the charges were dropped when the prosecution declined to offer evidence.

3. Her whistleblowing act was aimed at preventing what she believed would be an illegal war in Iraq.

4. Katharine Gun’s story has been featured in numerous documentaries, articles, and the film “Official Secrets” (2019).

5. She has continued to be an advocate for whistleblowers and speaks out against government secrecy and misconduct.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Katharine Gun

1. “I felt I had to do everything I possibly could to prevent an illegal war.”

2. “I only ever followed my conscience.”

3. “I believed that if the public knew what was going on, they would not support the war.”

4. “Whistleblowing is an act of conscience and courage.”

5. “We need more transparency and accountability from our governments.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As of the latest available information, Katharine Gun’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. Her activism and whistleblowing work have not been financially motivated.