The Wilson Plot

by David Leigh

Traces the events leading to the accusation that Harold Wilson, head of Britain's Labour government, was a spy.

Genres: History, Espionage, Politics

271 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Matthew Kresal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the late 1970s, former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson's claims of intelligence and security services being after him received dismissing as utter paranoia. Yet events in the 1980s, particularly the publication of Peter Wright's controversial memoir Spycatcher, put them into a new light. Published in the wake of the Spycatcher controversy and taking apart some of its more lurid claims, David Leigh's book did a fine job separating fact from fiction. Detailing thirty years of MI5 and CIA suspicions about Wilson from his days in the first post-war Labour government to his time in Downing Street, Leigh paints a portrait of a decades-long campaign by Wright, men around him, and the CIA's infamous James Angleton to uncover anything and everything about Wilson and those around him.

In doing so, the scope of the "plot" isn't as widespread as some suspected, but it's surprising how far and long some of those who suspected Wilson of somehow being a Soviet mole got. While a dry read in places with far too many names and not enough faces, Leigh's book is a wonderful antidote to more sensational claims about Wilson and a number of figures in mid-Cold War intelligence. Not to mention a portrait of what might be termed a service within intelligence services and what happens when the proverbial fine line between genius and insanity is crossed over.

[Simon Zohhadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading 'The Wilson Plot' by David Leigh. Highly recommended. Should be read after reading 'Spy Catcher' by Peter Wright. Was there a plot to overthrow Harold Wilson's Government? Yes but by a few right wing mavericks influenced by James Angleton (CIA) and his willing accomplice in MI5 - Peter Wright. Why ? Simply because Wilson was a socialist and was not as pro-American as Angleton wanted him to be. There was no evidence against Wilson just spiteful smears, innuendo and imaginary links with the Soviet Union. Harold Wilson was highly intelligent and above all loyal to Queen and country. I hope he is fully re-habilitated and given his rightful place in history as a Prime-Minister with a social conscience. RIP Harold.

[Wes Bartlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive. Referred to people I was not familiar with. British readers would probably know them. The sub-title told of how MI5 and the CIA tried to overthrow the British government but there was very little information on the US involvement.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive,as relevant now as then

[martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!!!! Insightful into the impact of the MI5 and really made me think about how secret agencies have changed from the 60s onwards