Ex-spy chief to chair book prize

The ex-director general of the security service – for which she worked for nearly 30 years – has gone on to carve out her own literary career.

Also joining her on the judging panel for the UK's best known literary award will be former MP Chris Mullin and author Susan Hill, whose The Woman In Black is currently being filmed with Daniel Radcliffe.

Dame Stella said: "I am looking forward to chairing such a distinguished and talented team of judges.

"I am sure we will have many stimulating debates and will come up with a worthy winner of next year's prize."

She retired from MI5 in 1996 and has since written her autobiography Open Secret plus five Liz Carlyle novels.

Ion Trewin, literary director of the Man Booker Prizes, said: "Every year we look for a different mix of judges and I'm particularly delighted by the breadth and range of interests of the 2011 team."

This year's Booker was won by Howard Jacobson for his novel The Finkler Question.

The longlist for the 2011 prize will be announced in July.