Sex, spies and scandal : the John Vassall affair
Alex Grant’s new book Sex, Spies and Scandal The John Vassall Affair has everything: a honey trap, industrial-scale espionage, journalists jailed for not revealing their sources and the first modern tabloid witch-hunt, which resulted in a ministerial resignation and almost brought down Harold Macmillan’s government.
With access to newly released MI5 files and interviews with people who knew Vassall from the 1950s until he died in 1996, this book sheds new light on a neglected spy scandal. Despite having been drugged and sexually assaulted by the KGB in Moscow, as a gay man John Vassall was shown no mercy by the British press or the courts.
Sentenced to eighteen years in jail, he served ten years, despite telling MI5 everything. Once released, he found that many of his old friends and lovers had been persecuted or dismissed from the civil service in Britain, America and Australia.
Unlike the Cambridge Five, who courted attention, after leaving prison Vassall changed his name to avoid the media and lived quietly in London.
Buy the book and support the podcast here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781785907883
Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode336/
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/I
f a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
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Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
00:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations and the John Vassal Affair
00:36 Unveiling the John Vassal Spy Scandal
05:49 The Life and Times of John Vassal
16:15 Vassal's Recruitment by Soviet Intelligence
37:08 Vassal's Espionage Activities in London
41:28 The Cold War Thaw and Social Dynamics in Moscow
42:24 Vassal's Entrapment and the Lax Security
43:56 The Discovery of a Spy Within the Admiralty
46:55 The Fallout of Vassal's Capture and Its Impact
48:33 The Dramatic Arrest of John Vassal
49:35 Vassal's Immediate Confession and Relief
53:05 The Aftermath: Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction
01:05:41 Vassal's Life Post-Imprisonment and Legacy
01:09:48 Revisiting the Impact of Vassal's Espionage
01:11:57 Uncovering New Insights from the National Archives
01:16:55 Reflecting on Vassal's Life and the Broader Historical Context
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With access to newly released MI5 files and interviews with people who knew Vassall from the 1950s until he died in 1996, this book sheds new light on a neglected spy scandal. Despite having been drugged and sexually assaulted by the KGB in Moscow, as a gay man John Vassall was shown no mercy by the British press or the courts.
Sentenced to eighteen years in jail, he served ten years, despite telling MI5 everything. Once released, he found that many of his old friends and lovers had been persecuted or dismissed from the civil service in Britain, America and Australia.
Unlike the Cambridge Five, who courted attention, after leaving prison Vassall changed his name to avoid the media and lived quietly in London.
Buy the book and support the podcast here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781785907883
Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode336/
The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history.
Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/I
f a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link.
Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/
Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations
Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod
00:00 Introduction to Cold War Conversations and the John Vassal Affair
00:36 Unveiling the John Vassal Spy Scandal
05:49 The Life and Times of John Vassal
16:15 Vassal's Recruitment by Soviet Intelligence
37:08 Vassal's Espionage Activities in London
41:28 The Cold War Thaw and Social Dynamics in Moscow
42:24 Vassal's Entrapment and the Lax Security
43:56 The Discovery of a Spy Within the Admiralty
46:55 The Fallout of Vassal's Capture and Its Impact
48:33 The Dramatic Arrest of John Vassal
49:35 Vassal's Immediate Confession and Relief
53:05 The Aftermath: Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction
01:05:41 Vassal's Life Post-Imprisonment and Legacy
01:09:48 Revisiting the Impact of Vassal's Espionage
01:11:57 Uncovering New Insights from the National Archives
01:16:55 Reflecting on Vassal's Life and the Broader Historical Context
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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