A 110-year-old lemon reveals secrets of MI5's espionage history

In London, a significant exhibition showcasing items related to Britain's domestic intelligence agency MI5 has opened at the National Archives. This exhibition highlights the agency's history and its evolving role from its inception in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau, initially staffed by just two officers. Visitors can view intriguing artifacts, including a desiccated 110-year-old lemon that was used in espionage activities during World War I, signaling how everyday objects can become instruments of intelligence operations. The exhibition aims to shed light on both the successes and failures of MI5's operations over the decades. Central to the exhibition are declassified documents and artifacts that recount MI5's strategies and challenges during World War II. One of the key highlights is the story of how the agency managed to mislead Adolf Hitler through sophisticated disinformation tactics, utilizing captured Nazi agents to relay false information about the Allied invasion plans. This section underscores the essential role that MI5 played during critical wartime periods, showcasing the agency's influence on historical outcomes. Additionally, the exhibit points out seminal cases like the betrayal by the Cambridge Spies, who leaked valuable intelligence to the Soviet Union, demonstrating the dangers of internal threats within intelligence systems. The exhibition also reflects on changing societal attitudes, particularly concerning gender roles within the agency. A notable inclusion is a report from spymaster Maxwell Knight in 1945, which debated the capabilities of women as potential agents. This aspect reveals how MI5's internal dynamics evolved over time, adapting to broader societal changes. Furthermore, the event highlights the agency's historical missteps, such as underestimating fascist threats in the 1930s and focusing too heavily on the small Communist Party of Great Britain, leading to significant oversights in national security. Finally, the exhibition illustrates the transition of MI5's priorities in recent decades, moving from counterespionage to combating terrorism, a shift that reflects the changing landscape of national and global security. It features items like a mortar shell fired by the IRA at 10 Downing Street in 1991 during a cabinet meeting, emphasizing the immediate threats faced by the UK government. Author Ben Macintyre noted that while much of MI5's work remains classified, the exhibition signifies a shift towards greater transparency, allowing public discourse about previously secretive matters to flourish.