Guy Burgess at the BBC | The early career of the Cambridge spy
Record of a telephone conversation between the BBC and the Foreign Office
The BBC and the Foreign Office are called to account for employing Burgess.
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Writtenin
1956
Synopsis
Three days after official acknowledgement comes of the defection of Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean to communist Russia, questions are being asked in Parliament about how such a treacherous character as Burgess could have secured trusted positions at both the BBC and the Foreign Office. This telephone conversation between the two organisations records attempts being made to apportion and escape blame.
The key phrase, seemingly quoted by the Foreign Office as evidence of the BBC's apparent endorsement of Burgess, can be seen in this document.
Did you know?
Thomas Anthony Keith Elliott went on to have a glittering career in the diplomatic service. In 1973, when he was British Ambassador to Finland, he was instrumental in getting agreement on the agenda and terms of reference for the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which was set up to find a way to ease tension between the Soviet and Western blocs. This led to the Helsinki Final Act (also known as the Helsinki Accords) and detente between East and West in 1975, opening the way for the eventual end of the Cold War in 1990.
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Documents
Letter of recommendation from Cambridge University
The relative merits of three Cambridge graduates are assessed by the university.
Memo quoting a recommendation for Burgess
A Cambridge don provides a reference for Guy Burgess
A letter of reference for Burgess
An astute assessment of Burgess' strengths and weaknesses by his Cambridge University tutor.
An internal memo about staff photographs
Burgess is pursued for a photograph by an exasperated BBC administrator.
Letter from Guy Burgess to Anthony Blunt
Burgess, as a BBC producer, advises Blunt about speaking on the radio
A memo from Burgess about Winston Churchill
Burgess recounts his conversation with a mistrustful Churchill.
Letter to Burgess from the BBC
Burgess fails to clear his desk when he leaves the BBC.
Memo from Burgess querying his salary
Burgess forgets to sign his BBC staff contract and is unhappy with the salary offered.
The Langham incident - A report on a disturbance at the hotel
The case of the locked door.
The Langham incident - The response from the BBC Management
A concerned Director of Talks reports on his handling of Burgess and the locked door incident.
The Langham incident - The response from Burgess
Burgess gives his version of events in the case of the locked door.
An expenses claim sheet and covering note from Burgess
Burgess insists on travelling first class and claims for visiting the House of Commons.
Internal memo querying a Burgess expense claim
A revealing insight into Burgess' working day from an exasperated administrator.
Burgess and 'The Week in Westminster'
Alarm is expressed at Burgess' profligate use of BBC funds for entertaining MPs.
Memo re Burgess and first-class travel
Burgess' case for travelling first class is disputed.
Memo from Burgess pursuing expenses claim
Burgess persists with his claim for first-class travel.
Letter from the Foreign Office to the BBC about Burgess
His country needs him: Burgess is required for essential war work.
The BBC considers its response to the Foreign Office about Burgess
The head of the Talks Department is reluctant to let Burgess go.
Resignation memo from Burgess
Guy Burgess plans to leave the BBC to join the Foreign Office.
Memo to the Director General about Burgess' resignation
The manner and timing of Burgess' departure from the BBC causes concern.
A note for Burgess' staff record
A summary of Burgess' strengths, weaknesses and suitability for re-employment.
Memo about Burgess' library books
The BBC may have uncovered a clue to Burgess' recent movements.
Record of a telephone conversation between the BBC and the Foreign Office
The BBC and the Foreign Office are called to account for employing Burgess.
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