‘observation’ over left-wing views

tion Army) he is known to have been in touch with the Headquarters of (Communist party newspaper) the Daily Worker and it is therefore reasonable to suppose that his political views have not changed in any way.”

The letter suggested getting a report from Amis’s commanding officer (CO) about him, and in a memo to MI5’S Lt Col John Baskervyle-glegg, the unnamed CO said he had not found the socialist young officer to have a “particularly inspiring personality”.

He added: “He is obviously well-read, but a bit young and inexperienced in the ways of the world. In discussions he has always tended to take extremist views towards most aspects of life and gives the impression of trying to compensate for his rather nebulous personality by making extreme and controversial statements in the hope it will make an impression.” 0 Sir Kingsley Amis was a Communist Party member