MI5 spied on Nye Bevan for more than 20 years, newly released files show
Summary
MI5, the UK security service, spied on NHS founder Aneurin "Nye" Bevan for over 20 years, starting in the 1930s. They monitored him because of his left-wing views and links to communists, but some MI5 officials questioned the need for surveillance since his actions were public.Key Facts
- MI5 opened a file on Nye Bevan in 1933 when he was a Labour MP.
- Bevan was seen as a strong left-wing figure connected to communists.
- MI5 watched him even after he became a health minister and created the NHS.
- The MI5 director general once warned Prime Minister Clement Attlee about Bevan’s links to a known Russian spy.
- Some MI5 officers doubted why they were spying on Bevan since he spoke openly in Parliament.
- Bevan’s file remained open until 1975, 15 years after his death in 1960.
- There is no evidence MI5 tapped Bevan’s phone or read his mail.
- In 1954, Bevan met the Soviet ambassador, but the meeting did not go well.
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