MI5 launches the “MI5: Official Secrets” exhibition at The National Archives in London, from April 5 to September 28, 2025. The exhibition showcases 115 years of MI5 history through tools, documents, and notable stories like the Cambridge Five. Director general Ken McCallum promotes transparency, allowing public insights into espionage and its historical context.
MI5 is revealing its secrets through the exhibition “MI5: Official Secrets” at The National Archives in London. This extraordinary event, running from April 5 to September 28, 2025, presents historical espionage documents, tools, and artifacts from MI5’s 115-year history. Director general Ken McCallum emphasises the agency’s commitment to transparency, addressing public curiosity about its past operations.
Highlighted items include a 110-year-old shrivelled lemon used by German spy Karl Muller to create invisible ink during World War I, leading to his capture and execution in 1915. The exhibition further delves into the stories of the “Cambridge Five,” double agents who served the Soviet Union while embedded in British intelligence. Visitors can explore confessions and surveillance reports related to notorious figures such as Kim Philby and Anthony Blunt, shedding light on their treacherous activities and their consequences.
Moreover, the exhibition provides perspectives on the evolving roles within espionage, notably a 1945 report by spy Maxwell White discussing the potential of women as agents. White countered claims of women’s indiscretion, stating that the majority of cases of “loose talk” involved men revealing secrets or switching allegiances. This exhibit marks a significant departure from MI5’s historic secrecy, inviting public engagement with its complex history and the evolution of intelligence in national security.
The “MI5: Official Secrets” exhibition represents a landmark initiative by MI5 to share its historical narrative and engage the public. This display features significant artefacts and highlights the agency’s transformation towards transparency. By exploring notable cases and reflecting on evolving gender roles in espionage, MI5 opens a new chapter in its relationship with the public, making its history more accessible and informative.
Original Source: www.tovima.com