The Belgrano Diary Episode 4: The Crown Jewels
Apr 18, 2024
Lieutenant Narendra Sethia, a Royal Navy officer whose diary from HMS Conqueror sheds light on a significant naval incident, joins the discussion alongside Michael Heseltine, former Defence Secretary, and Tam Dalyell, a Labour MP known for his persistent inquiries. They delve into the political fallout surrounding the sinking of the General Belgrano, uncovering how diary insights contradicted official narratives. The conversation touches on the controversial prosecution of Clive Ponting, the role of leaked documents, and the ongoing battle for accountability within the Ministry of Defence.
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Crown Jewels Exposed Official Inaccuracies
- Clive Ponting compiled a top-secret, detailed dossier dubbed the "Crown Jewels" that contradicted the government's public account of the Belgrano sinking.
- The dossier validated the diary's timeline and showed official inaccuracies but found no evidence for the Peruvian peace-initiative conspiracy.
Diary Matched Internal Records
- Ponting realised the leaked diary contained precise operational details that matched internal records, proving DL had access to authoritative information.
- This recognition triggered the Crown Jewels review and escalated political pressure to correct the record.
Blocking Versus Correcting The Record
- The MOD debated two responses: full disclosure of non-classified facts or continued classification to block parliamentary scrutiny.
- Officials framed withholding as routine protection of operational detail, not as a political cover-up.
