Each of these innocuous looking booklets for the Courtauld Institute Galleries , London , found in a tantalising box of assorted books in North Queensland , contain an introduction by the self confessed British Soviet spy , Sir Anthony Blunt , Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures .
In what could be considered an appropriately coloured red covered general catalogue , he is Sir Anthony Blunt ; in the other , plain Anthony Blunt , who , after he was offered immunity from prosecution , confessed to having been a Soviet spy while working for MI5 , kept secret for 15 years before confirmed by PM Margaret Thatcher , stripped of his knighthood .
One of the so called Cambridge Spy Ring , which included Guy Burgess, master spy Kim Philby and Donald Maclean , who defected to Russia , Blunt was a leading British art historian from 1956-1979, associated with the Courtauld Institute of Art for 27 years .
A former assistant director of MI5, Peter Wright , a resident of Tasmania , represented in court by Malcolm Turnbull-now the Australian Prime Minister - challenged the British government and won the right to publish his sensational book Spy Catcher . The Candid Autobiography of a Senior Intelligence Officer .
In that superb volume , written with Paul Greengrass , published by William Heinemann Australia , it contained extraordinary details of meetings Wright had with Blunt in his ornate studio in the Courtauld Institute over SIX YEARS. During these monthly sessions , Blunt was extensively questioned , notes taken , recordings made .
During the last days of WWll, Blunt , a major , was reportedly sent on a secret mission to Germany to retrieve sensitive letters between the Duke of Windsor and Adolf Hitler and other Nazis . Blunt was also said to have been requested by George V to retrieve letters from Empress Victoria , a daughter of Queen Victoria , mother of Kaiser Wilhelm , which were deposited in the Royal Archives.
Wright wrote that before he began the extensive questioning of Blunt , the Queen's private secretary, Michael Adeane , called him in for a chat , and told the Queen had been fully informed about Sir Anthony and was content for him to be dealt with in any way to get to the truth .
There was , however, one caveat . To quote the book :
"From time to time ," said Adeanne," you may find Blunt referring to an assignment he undertook on behalf of the Palace - a visit to Germany at the end of the war. Please do not pursue this matter . Strictly speaking , it is not relevant to considerations of national security."
Adeane carefully ushered me to the door. I could not help reflecting on the difference between his delicate touch and the hysterical way MI5 had handled Blunt , terrified that he might defect , or that somehow the scandal might leak . Although I spent hundreds of hours with Blunt , I never did learn the secret of his mission to Germany . But then , the Palace had had several centuries to learn the difficult art of scandal burying , MI5 have only been in the business since 1909! (Ends)
"From time to time ," said Adeanne," you may find Blunt referring to an assignment he undertook on behalf of the Palace - a visit to Germany at the end of the war. Please do not pursue this matter . Strictly speaking , it is not relevant to considerations of national security."
Adeane carefully ushered me to the door. I could not help reflecting on the difference between his delicate touch and the hysterical way MI5 had handled Blunt , terrified that he might defect , or that somehow the scandal might leak . Although I spent hundreds of hours with Blunt , I never did learn the secret of his mission to Germany . But then , the Palace had had several centuries to learn the difficult art of scandal burying , MI5 have only been in the business since 1909! (Ends)
The book's dustjacket blurb stated that the author shared his conviction that the Fifth Man ( Soviet spy ) was Sir Roger Hollis , long the head of MI5 , the man responsible for setting up the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) .
Reviews included one from Malcolm Turnbull , the day the ban on the book was lifted : "The publication of Spy Catcher confirms that Australian democracy is founded on sceptical good sense . "
