◆ SpookStack

ALL ARE SCREENED As. a result, sinte 1952, searching ih- quiries have béen made into the antecedents and associates of all those occupying or apply- ing. far positions in the Foreign Office in- ¥olving highly secret information. “The purpose of these inquiries is ta ensure that no one is appuinted to or con- tinues to Geeupy any such post unless he or she is fit to be entrusted with the secrets to which the post dives access.” leis revealed chat.as long ago as January, - 1945, the seeurity authorities knew that Foreign Olfice information had leaked to the Sevict authorities SOME YEARS EARLIER, “Highly seeret but widespread and protracted inquiries were begun by the secu- rity authorities, and ihe tield of suspicion had been narrowed by mid-April, 1951, to two or three persons.” . THE CHIEF SUSPECT By the beginning of May, Maclean had eOihe tobe regurded as the chief suspect. That was neo and a half years after the investigations began. Even then no action was taken except to ensure that “docurients ef exceptional secrecy did not come inte his hands.” Meantime security “ arranged to investi- wate his activities and contacts in order to increase their background knowledge and if possible to obtain information which. could be used as evidence in a prosecution.” After the decistan ta questian Maclean security “ were alse anxious that Maclean's louse at Tatsficid, Kent, should be searched and this was an additional reason for delay- ing the proposed: mterview until mid-Juce when Mrs. Maclean whe was then pregnant was expected to be away from home.” Phat brings us to the fateful Friday. At this point the Foreign Office week-end plays a part in this fantastic story: \ Maclean’s absence did not beconhe f kno 'n to the authorities until the morning Moniay, May 28, The Foreign Office 4 day mornings but ofhcers can from time to titie obtain Jeave to take a week-end olf, “In accordance with this practice laclean obtained leave to be absent bn a Dae RAW, OO Lt. aheee ne tHheenfiles SALUT Y, Jka y ae S5iS BUSOCNUE LAGOA caused no remark until the following Mon- day,” THE VANISHING ACT The story of the flight we know. There is a lot- more familiar to the student of the areatest Vanishing act of modern times-—the telegrams to the relatives, the money front. Switzerland, the letters posted in London, and the disappearance of Mis, Maclean, - The report admits that she told security she intended to. ¢o to live in Switzerland, and suys there was no question of preventing her: “Ales. MJaclean was a [ree agent. The authorities had no legal means of detaining her in this country.” To that is added the really astonishing statement: “4NY FORM OF SURVELLLANCE ABROAD WOULD HAVE BEEN UNWAR- RANTED> | - Then the White Puper deals with two questions Lhat this newspaper and iullions of people in the country have asked for years andare still asking. We fear they will not be much wiser new. ; "Wry did Maclean and Burgess remain in the Foreign Office for so long? Why were they able to get away? Wher the two men were appointed “there was nothiny on record to show that either was unsuitable for the public service. Ttis true that their subsequent personal beha- viour was unsdtislactory.” ‘UNSATISFACTORY ! . Take a look at the record as set out in the White Paper: ; MACLEAN: In May, 1956, while serving In the mbassy in Cairo he was guilty of “serious mis- ‘anduct and suffered a form of breakdown hich was attributed to overwork and exc asive rinking.... After recuperation at hom@g he as passed medically fit and in October, 9950, Was appointed Head of the American Dephrt- * ment of the Foreign Office. regularly open for normal business on Satur-