Dame Stella Rimington, the first female director general of MI5, has died aged 90.

Dubbed the “housewife superspy” when she came into the role, she was widely credited as the model for Dame Judi Dench’s M in the James Bond films.

She was born on 13 May 1935 in South Norwood in London and died on Sunday night.

Her family said in a statement that she died “surrounded by her beloved family and dogs and determinedly held on to the life she loved until her last breath”.

More details soon …