Harold Wilson, one of Britain’s most left-wing prime ministers, is shown to have had a close relationship with MI5 during his time in office, according to newly declassified files from the National Archives, revealed by Declassified UK. The documents shed light on his interactions with MI5, particularly in 1966, when he praised the agency for its surveillance on striking seafarers, members of the National Union of Seamen (NUS). Despite his left-wing credentials, Wilson was deeply suspicious of the Communist Party and sought MI5’s assistance in monitoring the strike, which had been prolonged by NUS members demanding a 40-hour workweek.
The files show that MI5 had informants embedded within the union and conducted phone taps on its members, including prominent figures who were described as “quite open Communists.” Wilson seemed particularly focused on the role of communists in the strike, and MI5 reported back regularly to 10 Downing Street, with Wilson reportedly expressing satisfaction at the intelligence gathered. Despite the communists’ “numerically weak” presence, MI5 continued to monitor the situation closely, and Wilson was informed of developments throughout the strike.
The surveillance extended beyond the seafarers’ strike, with MI5 also involved in blacklisting human rights lawyer Niall MacDermot, who was set to be appointed Solicitor General. MI5 objected to his promotion due to his wife’s past connections with the Soviet Union, warning that she could be considered a “valuable intelligence asset” by the KGB. Despite MacDermot’s impeccable credentials, Wilson sided with MI5’s recommendation and blocked his promotion, even though MacDermot’s wife had never been a communist and had worked against fascism in her youth.
These revelations show how MI5’s covert actions were intertwined with Wilson’s government, despite his left-wing policies. While Wilson’s Labour government was tasked with defending the rights of workers, the files reveal his tacit approval of MI5’s monitoring of trade unions, suggesting a willingness to use surveillance against political enemies, even within his own party. This historical context calls into question the balance Wilson struck between his political ideals and his alliance with Britain’s intelligence services. These documents provide a fascinating and unsettling glimpse into the complex relationship between political power and national security during the Cold War era.
