◆ SpookStack

1 4 ce aa ae ee eo ee cl i } : | { Bier ie ites Postscript 0 on a: almust always posing as an accredited diplomat or trade delegate, rarely makes his Personal contact until his quarry is in a position to be useful He delays making his “ pass” as long as possible because it can be a dangerous moment, as lt was when a Soviet diplomat in London tried to recruit me. When he offered me money to teveal my sources of defence information I reported him to the security authorities and he was soon recalied to Moscow. Philby could not really be useful until he joined the Secret Tntelligence Service in 1940. He was invited to join after being a foreign ccrrespondent on a NMewspaper—a not uncommon route of entry. There is no evidence that Philby knew Maclean was @ spy until he heard of the Secret Service suspicions about him. It is also unlikely that Maclean knew anything about Philby's aclivities, Like all Soviet spymasters Philby would have been. under ye ey, the firm control of the “ Centre“ -In Moscow. This would be arranged through contact with Russian diplomats in London, Washington, and other cities where Philby worked. Tt.is assumed in this new book that Philby told Burgess to warn Maclean that he was under suspicion. When Philby received this secret information in Wash- ington, Burgess was staying with him and was about te leave for London. His cover M.L5 officials told me that tt Was extremely unlikely that Philby would tell anyone about Maclean's danger without first taking Moscow's advice through the Soviet Embassy in’ Washine- ton. To tell Burgess would break Philby’s “cover,” which he had ®uarded so careéfuily. The Centre in Moscow would almost certainly hand the problem over to the Soviet Embassy in London. I believe Burgess Was approached by the Russians in London after he returned, They couid hot approach Maclean directly becauce they knew he was under surveiliance. Burgess could ao 6 as a friend . =m ‘print this at th traitor | “This would account for the fact that Burgess did not hurry back to London from America, did not contact Maclean when. he firs, arrived. and moved to heip Maclean escape only at the last minute. after getting some new and startiing information. Philby’s “confession” that he tipped Burgess off about Maclean Was a lie, I belleve, to cover the real route. This ig more than supposition. I have a _memorandum written by a Daily Express investigator in 1953 stating “en informant claiming to be an ex-member of M15 and directly concerned with the Burgess and Maclean inquiry said Philby was a double-agent —a British spy and 3 Com- muntst agent from youth. “When .he was in Washing- ton. Philby learned of the Investigations which might lead fo Maclean belng exposed. He immedialely alerted the Soviet Embassy in Washington. who passed the warning to Maclean via their embassy in London.” The Dally Express could not e time. Filey was protected not only by his Establishment irlends but by the British laws of or ; am . a im =, oe Ped apie eh es rn Te, Se ae rs . aa See tweets Rare te. i at na oa CAS Pee fat eh “We . aw ca pate ne pe me 2 pee