Wilson’s spy fears revealed
Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson was afraid that Soviet spies were following him even whilst on holiday in the Scilly Isles.
Downing Street documents newly released under Freedom of Information Act show that upon his return to Westminster in 1974 Mr Wilson demanded to know about any activity from Soviet spy vessels.
Wilson became increasingly paranoid during his later years in Downing Street, becoming convinced that everyone from MI5 to the Soviets were spying on him.
It later emerged that some rogue MI5 agents were convinced he was a Soviet agent.
These latest documents show he was particularly concerned about Soviet spy ships disguised as trawlers.
Officials reassured him that there was no evidence of spy ships following him, but they were concerned by his use of a walkie-talkie.
Then Cabinet Secretary Sir John Hunt warned that the portable transmitter did not work in cipher and advised him not to use it for sensitive conversation, adding “there is no doubt the signals can be picked up at a considerable distance”.
Wilson won four elections as Labour leader, but only served in office for just over seven years.
Although in the 1960s he introduced far reaching reforms such as the Open University, his time in office in the 1970s was characterised by economic gloom. Wilson resigned unexpectedly in 1976 saying he had lost interest in issues which remained little changed.
