Spymaster comes out of coma after 10 days

The Government's top intelligence adviser today emerged from a coma after 10 days.

Alex Allan, who heads the Joint Intelligence Committee, has been in intensive care in a London hospital since collapsing on 30 June.

A Cabinet Office spokesman today said he was showing "positive-signs of recovery" but would remain in intensive care for the immediate future.

There was no official confirmation of whether Mr Allan has been able to speak or to give his account of the period leading up to his mysterious collapse.

The spokesman said: "Alex Allan has regained consciousness and shows positive signs of recovery.

"His family are delighted with his progress."

The 57-year-old reported feeling unwell at work days before being found unconscious at his London home.

Whitehall sources have said they do not believe the cause of his collapse was "foul play", and Scotland Yard said the incident was being treated as "non-suspicious".

The JIC brings together personnel from MI5, MI6 and GCHQ.