History of MI6 detailed in new book
A book detailing the first 40 years of the UK's foreign intelligence service has been published.
Author Professor Keith Jeffery was given access to the archives at MI6, which has the official title of the Secret Intelligence Service.
Prof Jeffery said that in researching MI6: The History of the Secret Intelligence Service 1909-1949 he was allowed to view all files.
He said his only restriction was not to name some traitorous agents.
Among the controversial files he was able to study was an account of MI6 agents sabotaging ships due to carry Jewish refuges to the then British Mandate of Palestine, immediately following the end of World War II.
'Holy grail'
Prof Jeffery, from Queen's University in Belfast, said his research uncovered MI6 failures as well as successes.
He added: "[MI6] had a really bad start to the war but then so did every other part of the British machine, except perhaps the air force.
"But, like the rest of the British war effort, it builds on its successes throughout occupied Europe and across the world where German intelligence was ruled up by MI6 successes."...
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Author Professor Keith Jeffery was given access to the archives at MI6, which has the official title of the Secret Intelligence Service.
Prof Jeffery said that in researching MI6: The History of the Secret Intelligence Service 1909-1949 he was allowed to view all files.
He said his only restriction was not to name some traitorous agents.
Among the controversial files he was able to study was an account of MI6 agents sabotaging ships due to carry Jewish refuges to the then British Mandate of Palestine, immediately following the end of World War II.
'Holy grail'
Prof Jeffery, from Queen's University in Belfast, said his research uncovered MI6 failures as well as successes.
He added: "[MI6] had a really bad start to the war but then so did every other part of the British machine, except perhaps the air force.
"But, like the rest of the British war effort, it builds on its successes throughout occupied Europe and across the world where German intelligence was ruled up by MI6 successes."...