MI5 is revealing its secrets in a London exhibition for the first time. It highlights historical spies, including Karl Muller, and artefacts from the Cold War. The agency, founded amid German invasion fears, now employs over 5,000. The exhibition includes interactive tests for aspiring spies and discusses the evolving role of women in espionage.
For the first time, MI5 is unveiling its secrets in a London exhibition commemorating its 115-year history. The showcase highlights confessions from double agents and unique gadgets. Karl Muller, a German spy captured in 1915, fell victim to MI5’s efforts after it was discovered he used lemon juice as invisible ink on intercepted letters, leading to his execution at the Tower of London.
MI5 was established amidst fears of a German invasion, with Vernon Kell as its inaugural head. Presently, the agency employs over 5,000 individuals and shares a background with MI6, the foreign intelligence service popularised by James Bond. MI5 Director Ken McCallum remarked on the stark difference between reality and fiction in spy work, emphasising ordinary people achieving extraordinary results to ensure national safety.
The exhibition does not shy away from revealing less commendable chapters, featuring Cold War artefacts such as Guy Burgess’ abandoned passport and a note detailing Queen Elizabeth II’s awareness of Anthony Blunt as a Soviet agent, to which she reacted calmly. More recent items include a mortar shell fired by the IRA into Downing Street in 1991.
Anonymous MI5 agents provide insight throughout the exhibit, underscoring the challenges of managing informants, such as assessing their motivations and honesty. While early intelligence roles were predominantly male, women made up nearly 48% of MI5’s workforce by 2022, thanks partly to Maxwell Knight advocating for their involvement in espionage.
Visitors can test their spy potential with interactive challenges evaluating memory and code-breaking abilities. This free exhibition will run until September 28.
MI5’s exhibition reveals not only its intriguing history but also the complexities of espionage work, showcasing pivotal moments and artifacts from its past. The agency has evolved, with women’s contributions becoming significant in recent years. By engaging the public through interactive experiences, MI5 provides an insight into the reality of spy work, which is often more extraordinary than the fiction they inspire.
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