Philby warning ignored by BBC

OFFICIALS’ efforts to stop a TV show about Kim Philby’s son going on holiday to Russia to see the Cold War traitor fell on deaf ears at the BBC.

Independent broadcasters agreed to ban any publicity for Philby, who defected in 1963, but the BBC rejected No10-sanctioned suggestions it was ‘improper’ to show the film, papers released by the National Archives show.

The film-maker behind the show – which featured broadcaster David Frost – told the Foreign Office in 1969 it was about the relationship between Philby and his son John.

Top official Christopher Ewart-Biggs asked the film-maker if ‘he wished to act as an outlet for material provided by Philby – which meant “provided by the KGB” – and whether he wanted to help Philby or his son make money out of his treachery’.