MI5 Reveals Secrets at Kew Exhibition

The MI5: Official Secrets exhibition at the National Archives in Kew marks the first time Britain's MI5 has revealed its historical artefacts and declassified documents, aiming for increased transparency. The exhibition features items like the briefcase of Cambridge spy Guy Burgess and a 110-year-old lemon used by German spy Karl Muller for secret messages during WWI. This event highlights MI5's evolution from its inception in 1909, showcasing its historical role through world wars and the Cold War to modern counter-terrorism efforts. The display includes stories of infamous spies like the Cambridge Five, who were part of Soviet intelligence, and the Double Cross deception that misled Nazi forces during D-Day. The exhibition illustrates the reality of espionage, contrasting with fictional portrayals, as noted by MI5 Director General Ken McCallum. Overall, it offers a comprehensive look into MI5's secretive past and the agency's shift towards openness since it began declassifying files in 1997.