Former US FBI, CIA director William H. Webster dies at 101

William H. Webster, the only person to lead both the FBI and the CIA, has died at the age of 101, his family announced on August 8, Caliber.Az reports, citing AP. 

A respected figure in US law enforcement and intelligence, Webster served as FBI director from 1978 to 1987 and CIA director from 1987 to 1991. He was appointed FBI chief by President Jimmy Carter to help restore the bureau’s credibility after domestic spying and corruption scandals, and later chosen by President Ronald Reagan to lead the CIA following the Iran-Contra affair.

Known for his integrity and nonpartisan approach, Webster improved congressional relations, expanded the FBI’s work against organised crime, white-collar crime, and terrorism, and increased diversity within the agency.

He oversaw major cases, including the Abscam political corruption sting, and guided the CIA during the final years of the Cold War and the Gulf War.

Before his intelligence career, Webster was a federal judge and prosecutor in St. Louis. After retiring from government service in 1991, he continued working in law and on policy boards.

Webster’s tenure was not without controversy, including criticism over the CIA’s failure to detect Soviet spy Aldrich Ames and questions surrounding his brief 2002 appointment to a corporate accounting oversight board.

Internationally, Webster was recognised for restoring public trust in US intelligence institutions during politically turbulent times.

By Sabina Mammadli