MI5’s first public exhibition, MI5: Official Secrets, displays artefacts including Guy Burgess’s briefcase and a lemon used for espionage. Director General Sir Ken McCallum emphasizes transparency and public trust. The exhibition runs from April 5 to September 28 at The National Archives in Kew, London, with free entry.
MI5 is showcasing never-before-seen artefacts at The National Archives in Kew, London, including a notable briefcase left by spy Guy Burgess when he defected to Moscow in 1951. This exhibition, titled MI5: Official Secrets, marks the first collaboration where MI5 shares its files with the public. Director General Sir Ken McCallum highlighted MI5’s commitment to transparency in its operations.
A leather briefcase, inscribed with initials, belonged to Burgess, a prominent member of the Cambridge Five spy ring. Alongside this, his British passport will also be displayed for public viewing. The Cambridge Five were never prosecuted despite their espionage activities. Another intriguing exhibit is a 110-year-old lemon, used by German spy Karl Muller as invisible ink to convey British troop movements, resulting in his execution in 1915.
During the exhibition preview, Sir Ken stated, “The reality of our work is often different from fiction… Some of their stories and their perspective comes through in this exhibition.” He added, “Public trust and confidence can be… understood when we are able to be open about things that didn’t go well.”
The exhibition includes a note revealing that Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary had informed her about art advisor Anthony Blunt being a Soviet agent, noting her calm reaction. A total of 20 key items are featured, from MI5’s first camera to modern artefacts like a PIRA mortar bomb. Historian Mark Dunton remarked on the public’s interest in espionage and MI5’s positive response to the exhibition proposal.
MI5: Official Secrets is available for viewing from April 5 until September 28, with free admission at The National Archives in Kew, London.
The MI5: Official Secrets exhibition at The National Archives marks a significant step towards transparency, showcasing historic artefacts and documents that illuminate espionage history. Key items include Burgess’s briefcase and a lemon used for espionage by Karl Muller. Director General Sir Ken McCallum highlights the necessity of public trust through openness, sharing both significant and lesser-known stories from MI5’s past. Visitors can explore this unique insight into intelligence work until September 28 at no cost.
Original Source: www.thisislocallondon.co.uk