An exhibition at the National Archives in London showcases MI5’s intriguing history, featuring items like a 110-year-old lemon used in espionage, spy tools, and records of significant events. It highlights the agency’s evolution from 1909, addressing historical successes and failures, and changing attitudes towards female operatives.
A new exhibition at the National Archives in London features intriguing artifacts from MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence agency, including a 110-year-old lemon that was pivotal in convicting a German spy during World War I. This exhibition offers a glimpse into MI5’s secretive history, showcasing compact spy cameras, microdots, and personal items linked to spies like Guy Burgess.
At a preview, MI5 Director General Ken McCallum highlighted the stark contrast between real intelligence work and its fictional portrayals, noting that many stories in the exhibition have thrilling elements. The lemon, used to write invisible-ink letters, contributed to the execution of spy Karl Muller in 1915, evidencing the innovative, if bizarre, methods of espionage.
The exhibition also narrates MI5’s evolution since its founding in 1909, from two officers to a critical player in WWII, utilising Nazi agents for disinformation. It addresses famous intelligence failures like the betrayal by the Cambridge Spies, with documents detailing Kim Philby’s confession after years of denial.
Attitudes towards women in intelligence have also changed significantly, showcased by a 1945 report expressing skepticism about female agents. Despite stereotypes, spymaster Maxwell Knight noted that indiscretion was more common among men. Furthermore, the exhibition admits previous oversights, including MI5’s delayed recognition of fascism and excessive surveillance of the British Communist Party.
In recent decades, MI5 has shifted its focus towards counterterrorism, with fewer items from this period on display. Key items include a mortar shell fired at 10 Downing St. in 1991. Although MI5 started releasing records in 1997, it maintains control over classified information. Author Ben Macintyre observed significant progress in transparency, stating that historical intelligence matters were previously top secret and unknown to the public.
The MI5 exhibition in London provides a fascinating insight into espionage history, featuring unique artifacts, evolving agency roles, and significant historical events. It highlights MI5’s past successes and failures while also addressing changing societal attitudes, particularly regarding women in intelligence. Despite some transparency, the agency continues to control its classified information, revealing only a portion of its rich history to the public.
Original Source: www.newsday.com