Michael Oatley

Michael Charles Oatley (18 October 1935 – 29 June 2026) was a British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) officer, involved in the resolution of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland. He directed MI6 operations in the Middle East, 1984–1988, and in Europe, 1988–1991. He was responsible for counter-terrorist operations from 1985–1988.

Peter Taylor's book Behind the Mask: The IRA and Sinn Fein, describes Oatley as the most important British agent to have worked in Northern Ireland.

Oatley died on 29 June 2026, aged 90.