Photographs and personal details about the next head of Britain’s MI6 foreign intelligence service, John Sawers, were removed on Sunday from social networking website Facebook after they were published by a British newspaper.

“He was appointed 10 days ago to be the head of MI6; he’s an outstanding professional who will do a really good job in an outstanding organisation that does a huge amount for this country,” Miliband said.

“He was appointed 10 days ago to be the head of MI6; he’s an outstanding professional who will do a really good job in an outstanding organisation that does a huge amount for this country,” Miliband said.

He added: “The fact that there’s a picture (showing) that the head of the MI6 goes swimming. Wow, that really is exciting.

“It is not a state secret that he wears Speedo swimming trunks. For goodness’ sake, let’s grow up.”

Lady Sawers had no Facebook privacy protection, the Mail on Sunday says.