2 h. ago Secret love letter shows softer side of Cambridge spy ring’s alleged fifth man

Intimate correspondence between John Cairncross and Gloria Barraclough features in National Archives exhibitionIt was a love letter written by one of the more important British spies of the cold war that made Tom Brass realise he had never fully known his mother.The spy in question was John Cairncross, the alleged fifth man in the Cambridge spy ring, whose spycraft also helped the Soviets win the Battle of Kursk and turn the tide of the second world war. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Centuries of love letters go on display at the National Archives in London

Love letters spanning five centuries are on display at Britain’s National Archives

Politics

2 w. ago British military wanted to 'acquire alien tech' after black triangle UFO sightings

In documents that have emerged in The National Archives in Kew, it has reportedly been indicated that a military intelligence unit in the 1990s took the topic seriously

Events

3 w. ago UK considered military overthrow of ‘depressingly healthy’ Robert Mugabe

Declassified records show the Foreign Office advised Tony Blair’s government on options for dealing with the former Zimbabwean president

Events

3 w. ago Peter Mandelson’s 2005 general election warning to Tony Blair over Gordon Brown

Files released to the National Archives show that Peter Mandelson warned Tony Blair that tensions with his chancellor would need to be carefully managed during the election campaign

Events

3 w. ago Cabinet Office accused of withholding Andrew travel papers from National Archives

Official documents detailing former Prince Andrew’s overseas trips as a trade envoy were removed from public release, raising concerns over royal secrecy.

Politics

3 w. ago Cabinet Office accused of covering up for royal family after blocking release of Andrew documents

Minutes of travel expenses of former Duke of York as UK trade envoy withheld from National ArchivesThe Cabinet Office has been accused of covering up for the royal family after the release of documents including some relating to travel expenses for the former Duke of York as UK trade envoy were withheld at the last minute.Files released to the National Archives include documents relating to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and a grovelling apology from John Major’s office after an official birthday telegram to the Queen Mother was addressed in an “improper manner”. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago No 10 forced to apologise over John Major’s ‘improper’ birthday message to Queen Mother, new files reveal

Despite the faux pas, the Queen Mother still telegrammed Mr Major and his wife to thank them

Politics

3 w. ago No 10 blocked release of Tony Blair’s call with French president after Princess Diana’s death

Officials ruled that publication of a memo outlining the discussion between Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac was ‘fundamentally not in the public interest’, newly-declassified documents reveal

Politics

3 w. ago Tony Blair considered building secret bunker under Downing Street in case of terror attack, new files reveal

The hugely ambitious programme, codenamed Project George, included plans for a two-storey ‘subterranean suite’ under the No 10 garden

Events

3 w. ago Bruton contacted Major about Sellafield concerns as legal action was explored

Then-taoiseach John Bruton raised the issue with British prime minister John Major after several safety incidents over a short period in the 1990s.

Politics

3 w. ago Christy Moore interrogation in UK questioned by Irish officials in 2004

The singer-songwriter said he was stopped by officers and detained for more than two hours after he got off a ferry.

Politics