THE BRITISH MI6 WORKER found dead in his flat last week helped to prevent an Al Qaeda terrorist plot in the UK.

Gareth Williams worked in a branch of UK security services that intercepted communications between Al Qaeda and three men found guilty of plotting a bomb attack last year, Wired reports.

He also travelled a few times a year to the National Security Agency in the US. The NSA had intercepted the messages used in evidence against the three men.

Police investigating Williams’ death have dismissed tabloid reports that bondage equipment was found at his flat. Investigators said that there is no indication that his death was due more to his private life than his professional one, although both are still being considered in their enquiries

His family claims that he has become the victim of a smear campaign designed to deflect attention from his intelligence-gathering job.

A toxicology report is due out today, and could help to shed light on the cause of death. A post-mortem examination last week failed to determine what had killed Williams.

He was last seen eight days before his body was discovered in a large sports bag in the bath of his apartment in Pimlico, London, just yards from the MI6 headquarters.

Williams has been described by his family as a mathematical genius and a very private person, who didn’t discuss his work or his personal affairs. He was a keen cyclist, and had been a member of a local cycling club along with his father.