MI5 has been named Britain's most gay-friendly employer by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans charity Stonewall.
The Security Service - one of the most secretive in the world - ranks best amongst a list of 100 employers, all rated by staff for their culture, diversity and inclusion in one of the UK's largest annual employment surveys. The service's foreign counterpart, MI6, is ranked 36 on the list.
Other entries in the Workplace Equality Index include six banking firms, including Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, and 14 local authorities, including the London Boroughs of Islington, and Tower Hamlets.
The Security Service, MI5, is ranked best in Stonewall's 2016's list
The Royal Navy, the Army, and six police forces also feature, while the National Assembly of Wales came third with the Welsh Government ranked joint 17th.
The index has now entered its 12th year. Stonewall received 400 entries from individual organisations, and surveyed over 60,000 staff.
Andrew Parker, Director-General, MI5, said that the recognition reflects the desire to hire those with required skills, regardless of sexuality.
Lloyds Banking Group came second in the list
The chief spook said: "Diversity is vital for MI5, not just because it’s right that we represent the communities we serve, but because we rely on the skills of the most talented people whoever they are, and wherever they may be.
"This accolade from Stonewall is a great acknowledgment of the continued progress we have made over recent years in ensuring we draw on the widest possible pool of talent in our vital work."
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: "MI5 have made fantastic strides in creating an inclusive workplace, and have now appeared on the Stonewall Top 100 Employers list since 2012. This is an amazing achievement and demonstrates just how seriously diversity and inclusion is taken.
"I’d also like to thank all of those organisations that took part in Stonewall’s 2016 Workplace Equality Index, and congratulate our Top 100 and award winners. We’re thrilled to see such a commitment to lesbian, gay, bi and trans colleagues, but we also know that there is still lots to do."
Top 100 Employers List 2016
1MI5
2Lloyds Banking Group
3National Assembly for Wales
4B3Living
5Pinsent Masons
5Tower Hamlets Homes
7Leicestershire County Council
8Metropolitan
9Clifford Chance
10Royal Navy
11Baker & McKenzie
11PwC
13Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service
13Victim Support
15Newcastle City Council
15Suffolk Constabulary
17Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
17Leicestershire Police
17Welsh Government
20Cardiff University
20Creative Skillset
22Circle Housing Group
22Norton Rose Fulbright
22Sussex Police
25Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service
25Herbert Smith Freehills
25Northumberland County Council
28Birmingham City Council
29Golden Jubilee Foundation
30Essex Community Rehabilitation Company
30London Borough of Tower Hamlets
32Norfolk Constabulary
32Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
32Royal Bank of Scotland Group
32The Army
36MI6
36Office for National Statistics
36Swansea University
36Your Homes Newcastle
40Financial Conduct Authority
41J.P. Morgan
41Sheffield City Council
43BP
44KPMG
44Teesside University
46Aviva
46Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
46London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
46North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
50Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
50Touchstone
50University of Birmingham
53University of Essex
53University of Manchester
55Core Assets Group
56DWF
57Hogan Lovells
58De Montfort University
58St Andrew's Healthcare
60Bury Council
61Land Registry
61University of Sheffield
61York St John University
64L&Q
64Leeds Beckett University
64Nottinghamshire County Council
64Nottinghamshire Police
68EDF Energy
69The Riverside Group
70HSBC Bank
71West Midlands Police
72Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
72Environment Agency
72Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
72Reed Smith
72St Mungo's
72The Co-operative Group
78Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
78Suffolk County Council
80CMS Cameron McKenna
80University of Greenwich
82Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
83ASDA
83Police Scotland
85Carmarthenshire County Council
86Barnardo's
86Eversheds
86Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
89Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service
90Bank of America Merrill Lynch
91National Crime Agency
92London South Bank University
93Macquarie
93Medway Council
93Vision West Nottinghamshire College
96London Borough of Islington
97Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
97Dentons
97Nottingham City Council
100Citi
100Fujitsu