Spycatcher’s little sister: the Thatcher government and the Panorama affair, 1980–1981

Abstract

This article investigates the Thatcher government’s attempts to suppress or censor reporting on secret intelligence issues in the early 1980s. It examines official reactions to a BBC intrusion into the secret world, as the long-running Panorama documentary strand analysed the role and accountability of Britain’s clandestine services. It also assesses the extent of collusion between the government and the BBC’s senior management. The Panorama affair was an important waypoint on the journey towards the dramatic Spycatcher episode of the mid-1980s. The key players on the government side – Thatcher and Cabinet Secretary Robert Armstrong – failed to learn the lessons of the 1980–81 affair, that it was often more dangerous to attempt suppression than to simply let events run their course.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the staff of the BBC’s Written Archives Centre – in particular Jessica Hogg and Louise North – for their considerable help in gaining the release of Corporation files. I am also appreciative of the assistance given by Mary Pring and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Freedom of Information team. I also very much appreciate the time taken by Roger Bolton, Duncan Campbell, and Tom Mangold to answer the questions I put to them. Finally, this article has been strengthened immeasurably by the contributions of many colleagues, family, and friends, in particular the anonymous reviewers for Intelligence and National Security, Richard Aldrich, Simon Cooke, John Craig, Roseanna Doughty, Penny Fielding, Frances Houghton, Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, Mark McLay, Christopher Moran, and Patrick Watt. My students were also a constant source of inspiration and good humour.

Notes

1. Gau to Brooks Richards et al., Letters, May 27, 1980, BBC Written Archives Centre (Hereafter WAC) T62/285/1. Letters were sent to Francis Brooks Richards (a former SOE officer and at the time of affair a senior Cabinet Office official), Arthur Franks (DG of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service – SIS, better known as MI6 – until 1982); Martin Furnival-Jones (DG of the Security Service – better known as MI5 – 1965–72), Leonard Hooper (former DG of GCHQ), Brian Tovey (DG of GCHQ), Howard Trayton Smith (DG of MI5 until 1981), and Dick White (DG of MI5 1953–56 and DG of MI6 1956–68).

2. Bowcott, “Thatcher”; “Secret Service Pressed BBC to Censor Panorama – Papers”, December 30, 2011, BBC News online, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16358075 (accessed November 25, 2015).

3. Many conversations were by telephone and there is no record of certain face to face discussions. Furthermore, many of the departments involved disavow the existence of relevant files. Only the FCO has released further information as a result of Freedom of Information requests. As with much of intelligence history, more peripheral documentary evidence must be used to fill this void.

4. See Hillebrand, “News Media” and “Intelligence Oversight”; Dover and Goodman, Spinning Intelligence.

5. See Jenks, British Propaganda, 47–52; Moran, Classified and “Intelligence”; and Lashmar, “Urinal.”

6. Defty, Anti-communist Propaganda, 70–4.

7. Shaw, “The BBC,” 1355.

8. Mangold, “Thorpe.”

9. Seaton, Pinkoes; Lyndley, Panorama; and Leapman, The Beeb.

10. Trethowan, Split Screen, 189–91; and Bolton, Death, 110–12.

11. See Haslam, Near and Distant; and Scott, “Intelligence.”

12. Moran, Classified, 129; and Anon, “Pincher – Obituary.”

13. Moran, Classified, 136–76.

14. See Wilkinson, Secrecy.

15. Jeffreys-Jones, Spies, 163–68.

16. Campbell, “The Eavesdroppers.”

17. Aldrich, GCHQ, 161.

18. On tapping/interception, see Campbell, “Big Buzby”, “Facts”, “British Teletap”, and “Tapping”; on accountability, see Campbell, “Big Brother’s”, “Destabilising”, “Salesmen”, “The spies”; on press freedom, see Campbell, “Destabilising” and “D Notice.”

19. Cook, “Security Service.”

20. “Note for the Record,” December 10, 1979, The National Archives of the UK (Hereafter TNA), Records of the Prime Minister’s Office (hereafter PREM) 19/119.

21. Campbell, Thatcher, 401–2.

22. Ibid., 403.

23. Jeffreys-Jones, Spies, 171.

24. Aldrich and Cormac, Black Door, 353–4.

25. Negrine, Television, 124; and Jenks, “The Enemy”, 45.

26. Vinen, Thatcher’s Britain, 104.

27. Phythian, “British Experience,” 68.

28. Bolton had enraged Thatcher as editor on programmes about Northern Ireland. See Edgerton, “Quelling,” 116–20.

29. Bolton to Gau, “Panorama on the Secret Services,” June 13, 1980, WAC, T62/285/1, 2. Mangold was not new to the world of spies and secrecy. He joined the BBC in 1964, after working as a newsman covering the Profumo Affair. In the 1990s, he wrote Cold Warrior, a well-received biography of CIA counter-intelligence chief James Jesus Angleton.

30. A May 1980 ITV World in Action programme – jointly researched with The New Statesman – was banned by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) for being ‘prejudicial to national security’. The IBA only held jurisdiction over commercial television. See Campbell, “GCHQ.”

31. Bolton, Interview, May 1, 2016.

32. Bolton to Gau, June 13; Tom Mangold, Interview, August 18, 2015.

33. Jeffreys-Jones, Spies, 170.

34. Armstrong to Whitmore, Memo, June 18, 1980, TNA PREM19/587. Thatcher took note of Armstrong’s memo, but did not issue further instructions. See Whitmore to Armstrong, Memo, June 20, 1980, TNA PREM 19/587.

35. Armstrong to Thatcher, “BBC Panorama: Proposed Programme on Intelligence Services”, July 21, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 1; and Anon, Obituary: Sheldon.

36. Trethowan to Gau, Memo, July 18, 1980, WAC, T62/285/1; and Trethowan, Split Screen, 189–90. BBC Monitoring monitored radio stations around the world for news and open source intelligence purposes.

37. Mangold to Fenn, Letter, July 4, 1980, ZCZ11/11, 1.

38. Fenn to Moss, “Panorama and the Intelligence Services,” July 9, 1980, ZCZ11/11.

39. Ibid.

40. Moss to Acland, “Proposed Panorama Programmes on the British Intelligence Services,” June 10, 1980, ZCZ11/11.

41. Johnson, Strategic Intelligence, 237; and Jeffreys-Jones, CIA, 226–7.

42. Moran, Confessions, 160–78.

43. On the ramifications of these changes in the USA, see Arnold, Secrecy.

44. Warren and Dearnley, “Data protection,” 250–1.

45. Armstrong to Thatcher, July 21, 1980, 1. Cryer – Labour MP for Keighley – was an outspoken opponent of secrecy and nuclear weapons.

46. Ibid., 2, 5–6.

47. Ibid., 4–5.

48. Marginal note on Armstrong to Thatcher, July 21, 1980, 1.

49. Armstrong to Thatcher, “BBC Panorama: Proposed Programme on the Intelligence Services,” July 24, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 1.

50. Whitmore to Armstrong, “BBC Panorama: Proposed Programme on the Intelligence Services,” July 25, 1980, TNA PREM19/587.

51. Armstrong to Whitmore, “BBC Panorama: Proposed Programme on the Intelligence Services,” July 29, 1980, 1.

52. Ibid., 1–2.

53. Ibid., 3.

54. Whitmore to Armstrong, Memo, August 4, 1980, TNA PREM19/587.

55. Marginal note on Armstrong to Thatcher, “BBC Panorama: Proposed Programme on the Intelligence Services,” August 8, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 1.

56. Seaton, Pinkoes, 308.

57. Armstrong to Thatcher, August 8, 1981, 1–2.

58. Moss to Acland, “Proposed Panorama Programmes on the British Intelligence Services,” September 2, 1980, FCO UR ZFF306.

59. Penycate to Campbell, Letter, June 6, 1980, WAC T62/285/1.

60. Penycate to Campbell, Letter, February 5, 1981, WAC T62/285/1.

61. Campbell, “Secrets”; Mangold to Page, Letter, February 23, 1981, WAC T62/285/1; and Mangold to Protheroe, Memo, February 24, 1981, WAC T62/285/1. Recalling the affair, Campbell makes no mention these contacts. See Campbell, “Banning Panorama,” undated, http://www.duncancampbell.org/content/banning-panorama.

62. Trethowan to Howard, Letter, September 18, 1980, WAC, R78/3 180/1. The meeting between Trethowan, MI6, and MI5 is alluded to in Armstrong to Cubbon, Memo, September 22, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 2.

63. Armstrong to Cubbon, September 22, 1980, 2; and Kane, “Story [I]” and “Story [II]”.

64. Armstrong to Thatcher, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” September 24, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 2–3.

65. Whitmore to Armstrong, Memo, September 29, 1980, TNA PREM19/587.

66. Whitmore to Halliday, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” October 2, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 2.

67. Whitmore to Armstrong, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” October 7, 1980, TNA PREM19/587, 2.

68. Permanent Under Secretary’s Department to Dinwiddy, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” October 8, 1980, ZFF306. Sheldon’s name is not mentioned in this memo, but a name is redacted prior to Dick White’s. It is reasonable to assume that the redaction refers to Sheldon.

69. Whitmore to Armstrong, October 7, 1980, 1; Permanent Under Secretary’s Department to Dinwiddy, October 8, 1980.

70. Whitmore to Armstrong, October 7, 1980, 2; Armstrong to Whitmore, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” October 8, 1980, TNA PREM19/587; and Whitmore to Armstrong, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” October 13, 1980, TNA PREM19/587.

71. Mangold, PM Interview. See also Lyndley, Panorama.

72. Mangold, “Thorpe.”

73. Trethowan to Mangold, Memo, October 22, 1980, WAC T62/285/1.

74. Aubrey, Watching.

75. Pincher, Treachery.

76. Bolton, Interview, May 1, 2016.

77. Trethowan to Milne, “‘Panorama’ on the Security Services,” January 26, 1981, WAC T62/285/1.

78. Bolton, Interview, May 1, 2016.

79. Francis to Milne, “Panorama on the Security Services,” January 30, 1981, WAC, T62/285/1.

80. Armstrong to Thatcher, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” January 30, 1981, TNA PREM19/587, 1, 9.

81. “Film dropped after Trethowan intervenes,” The Guardian (hereafter TG), January 30, 1981, 1; and “When the heavy hand of Auntie comes down too hard,” TG, January 30, 1981, 17. Bolton was tasked with finding the leaker, but reported that – although the culprit could not be found – he was certain it was neither Mangold or Penycate. See Bolton to Holmes, “Leaks to the Press,” February 2, 1981, WAC R78/3 180/1.

82. Trethowan, Split Screen, 190–1.

83. “MP demands answers over MI5 film,” January 31, 1981, Daily Express; “BBC ‘not leaned on by No.10’,” the Daily Telegraph (hereafter DT), January 31, 1981; “Dropped spy programme – The whole thing smells,” Morning Star, January 31, 1981; “‘Panorama’ was censored, journalists say,” The Times (hereafter TT), January 31, 1981, 2; “Blunt’s Oxford spy foray revealed in vetoed film,” Sunday Times, February 1, 198; “BBC’s security film cuts anger staff,” TG, February 3, 1981, 26; and “TV Film on Press Changed by BBC Chiefs,” TG, February 4, 1981, 24.

84. “US Agency ‘bugged Labour MPs’,” TG, February 7, 1981, 26; “Tory defector backs phone tap controls,” TG, February 11, 1981, 3; and “MP is determined to back telephone tap amendment,” February 12, 1981, TT, 3.

85. Armstrong to Thatcher, January 30, 1981, 4.

86. Armstrong to Thatcher, “Panorama Programme on Intelligence and Security,” January 31, 1981, TNA PREM19/587, 1.

87. Ibid.

88. “Extracts from minutes of a meeting (Board of Management),” February 2, 1981, WAC R78/3 180/1.

89. Del Medico, “Handwritten Note,” February 2, 1981, WAC, T62/285/1.

90. “Extracts from Minutes of a Meeting (News and Current Affairs),” February 3, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

91. Ashton to Trethowan, Letter, February 2, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1; Hearn to Trethowan, Letter, February 6, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1; and “Strike threat over BBC deletions in film,” TT, February 7, 1981, 2.

92. “Extract from Minutes of a Meeting (Board of Management),” February 8, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

93. Press release, February 10, 1981, WAC, R78/3 1801/1; “Security services ‘would not help’ in Panorama film,” DT, February 11, 1981; “Film cuts all my own, Sir Ian insists,” TG, February 11, 1981, 22; and “BBC journalists get assurances on security reporting,” TT, February 11, 1981, 4.

94. Young to Trethowan, Letter, February 4, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

95. Trethowan to Young, Letter, February 13, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

96. Whitehead et all to Trethowan, Letter, February 6, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1; Holmes to Whitehead, Letter, February 11, 1981, WAC, R78/3, 180/1; and Whitehead to Holmes, Letter, February 16, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

97. Trethowan to Whitehead, Letter, February 23, 1981, BBC WAC, R78/3 180/1.

98. “Extract from the minutes of a meeting (Board of Management),” February 16, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1; and “Extract from the minutes of a meeting (News and Current Affairs),” February 17, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

99. Francis to Bolton, “Panorama/Security (Film 1),” February 16, 1981, WAC, T62/285/1.

100. Protheroe to Bolton, “Panorama Privacy Film,” February 19, 1981, WAC, T62/285/1.

101. Gau to Milne, Letter, February 19, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1. The Diplock report was released a few weeks later, and was mostly notable for its brevity.

102. “Extract from Minutes of a Meeting (Board of Governors),” February 19, 1981, WAC, T62/285/1.

103. Protheroe, “Privacy Film: Panorama: TXN 2 March 1981: Aide memoire (3),” February 23, 1981, WAC, T62/285/1.

104. Armstrong to Thatcher, “Panorama Programme on Security and Intelligence Services,” February 17, 1981, TNA PREM19/587; and Ash to Cooper, Letter, February 20, 1981, TNA PREM19/587.

105. Armstrong to Thatcher, February 17, 1981.

106. Whitmore to Armstrong, “Panorama Programme on Security and Intelligence Services,” February 19, 1981, TNA PREM19/587.

107. On the 1950s origins of the alleged Nasser assassination plans, see Aldrich and Cormac, Black Door, 199–201.

108. “Dr. Owen suggests intelligence vetting,” TT, February 24, 1981, 2.

109. Campbell and Connor, On the Record, 286–8.

110. “MP Claims that MI6 Plotted Assassination of Nasser,” TG, February 23, 1981, 3; and “Woman’s career was imperilled by false information at Yard,” TT, March 3, 1981, 3.

111. “Extract from a meeting (Television weekly programme review),” February 23, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

112. “Extract from the Minutes of a Meeting (News and Current Affairs),” February 24, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

113. “Extract from a Meeting (Board of Management),” March 2, 1981, WAC, R78/3 180/1.

114. Mangold, “Panorama.”

115. Acland to Moss, “Panorama Programme on the Intelligence Services,” February 24, 1981, FCO UF ZFF306.

116. Armstrong to Sanders, “Panorama Programme on Privacy,” March 3, 1981, TNA PREM19/587.

117. House of Commons Debate, “Security.”