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True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics

True Spies Debriefs: Tim Tate on the Spycatcher Scandal

Nov 26, 2024
Tim Tate, a best-selling author and acclaimed documentary filmmaker, shares his fascinating insights on the high-stakes world of espionage. He unravels the connections between KGB mole Mikhail Golianevesky and MI5's Peter Wright. Besides illuminating the repercussions of Tate's 'Spycatcher' work, he candidly reveals his own brush with being labeled a national security threat. The discussion also touches on the transparency battles faced by journalists during the turbulent Thatcher era and the ethical dilemmas within intelligence agencies.
56:09

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Tim Tate discusses the intricate relationship between KGB mole Mikhail Golenevsky and MI5 spy catcher Peter Wright, revealing significant impacts on British intelligence during the Cold War.
  • The podcast highlights the legal battles surrounding the publication of Wright's memoir, 'Spycatcher', showcasing the tension between governmental secrecy and the public's demand for transparency in intelligence operations.

Deep dives

Overview of The Agency Series

The new Showtime original series, The Agency, is a political thriller that features a covert CIA agent named Martian, portrayed by Michael Fassbender. Martian is forced to leave behind his undercover life to return to London Station, where he rekindles a romance with a former love. This love complicates his mission, as he must navigate a dangerous world filled with international intrigue and espionage. The series, consisting of ten episodes, includes a notable cast featuring Geoffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Richard Gere.

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