Thatcher's Role in MI5 Mole Leak

A recently declassified document has shed light on former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's involvement in a significant MI5 scandal, revealing her approval of a leak regarding a suspected Soviet mole within the Secret Service. The document, which has been kept under wraps for over 40 years, showcases Thatcher's collaboration with her cabinet secretary, Robert Armstrong, to inform a journalist about the rumors surrounding the alleged mole. The suspected mole, Sir Roger Hollis, who served as the director-general of MI5 from 1956 to 1965, was first implicated in 1981 through Chapman Pincher's book, *Their Trade is Treachery*. The revelations in the declassified document suggest that the conspiracy to leak information was not only a strategic move by Thatcher but also highlights Armstrong's dishonesty, as he previously denied any such conspiracy under oath. This new evidence raises questions about the integrity of the government during Thatcher's tenure and the extent to which sensitive information was manipulated for political purposes. The implications of this leak could have far-reaching effects on the public's perception of MI5 and its operations during the Cold War era. As the details of this scandal continue to emerge, historians and political analysts are likely to scrutinize the document further, seeking to understand the motivations behind Thatcher's actions and the broader impact on British intelligence and national security.