MI5's tips for spies and confessions revealed in new exhibition


Recently declassified documents from MI5 have been released to the public, revealing insights into the world of espionage. The National Archives in the UK is displaying these documents as part of a new exhibition, featuring the accounts of some of the country’s most notorious spies. The newly released collection includes the paper version of the first-hand confession of Kim Philby, a member of the infamous Cambridge spy ring, which has never been seen before. This marks the first time in MI5’s 115-year history that they have collaborated on such an exhibition.

The MI5 is one of the few UK government departments not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and they choose which records are disclosed to the public. The files are sometimes partially redacted. MI5 Director General Sir Ken McCallum is quoted saying, “While much of our work must remain secret, this exhibition reflects our ongoing commitment to being open wherever we can.” The recently revealed guidance for prospective Security Services recruits includes details such as, “A false moustache or beard is easily detected, especially under the high lights of a restaurant, pub, or in a tube train”, written in a booklet provided to agents during World War Two.

Additionally, ‘watchers,’ effectively spies within MI5, were warned not to expect a glamorous job when working in undercover roles. The booklet provided advised that, “Screen sleuths of the secret service thriller or detective novel appeal to the uninitiated, but in actual practice there is little glamour and much monotony in such a calling as ‘observation’.” Even physical attributes came into consideration for the role, with the booklet stating that an ideal watcher should be a man of a ‘rather nondescript type’ and ‘not be more than 5ft 7ins or 5ft 8ins in height’.

The Cambridge spy ring was a group of five infamous spies, all recruited as Soviet spies while studying at Cambridge University in the 1930s. The records released as part of the exhibit contain details and confessions of Philby, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross, who were all part of this ring. Philby’s long-time friend and fellow MI6 officer Nicholas Elliot recorded his confession in 1963, which stated that he found life at MI6 like a ‘controlled schizophrenia’. Philby subsequently handed over a six-page typewritten account of his covert work for the Soviet Union and how he had come to be recruited. Philby is widely regarded as one of the most effective double agents in British intelligence history.

The MI5: Official Secrets exhibition takes place at The National Archives this spring and enables the public to gain a deeper understanding of the previously unknown workings of MI5. These newly released records are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts always to be open wherever possible, despite their inability to share sensitive data

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