Author Trevor Barnes talks about his new book Dead Doubles – about the Portland spy Ring – their Portland, not our Portland.  In the late 50s Soviet illegal Gordon Lonsdale (Konan Molody) ran a group of spies who managed to penetrate a British research facility at the Portland Naval Base, and communicate effectively to Moscow.
The compromised intelligence ranged from sonar to biological technologies. 
A famous counter-intelligence investigation led by MI-5 was an example of early cooperation between CIA, FBI and MI-5, along with revealing the depths of the Soviet Illegals program in Britain, some of whom were likely never identified.  Trevor Barnes is an intelligence historian who shares the varied connections of this case to much more at the time. 

Dead Doubles, by Trevor Barnes
Spy Catcher, by Peter Wright
A Pack of Lies, by Hugh Whitemore (NYT Review by Frank Rich)

Episode 45

If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please consider signing up as a contributing patron and join the community for exclusive commentary, and content.  A $10 a month donation will really keep us going ---> https://www.patreon.com/thelivedrop

Alternatively, if you would like to help make Season Three operational you could offer a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedrop

Thank you for listening and your support,

Mark Valley
Creator/Host
[email protected]

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.