28 May
New files released today by The National Archives cover a range of subjects, including the arrest of a famous ballerina for attempting to overthrow the Panamanian government, an account of a man imprisoned for spying in communist Romania, a Special Operations file on a Sardinian war hero, and a valedictory dispatch from the Government's representative in Northern Ireland to James Callaghan.
The latest Cabinet Secretary's notebooks have also been released. These are the 19th and 20th notebooks to be released, covering the period from May 1960 to May 1962. The notebooks contain the handwritten notes made by the Cabinet Secretary at Cabinet meetings.
The arrest of Dame Margot Fonteyn (FO 371/139634)
Dame Margot Fonteyn, the renowned English ballerina, was arrested in Panama under suspicion of collaborating with her husband Dr Roberto Arias 'in a plot of vast ramification' to overthrow the Panamanian government with the support of Fidel Castro. Correspondence between the Embassy in Panama and the Foreign Office describes the saga as having 'many puzzling features' and Dame Margot's behaviour as 'reprehensible' and 'irresponsible', saying she was 'in it up to her neck'.
Special Operations Executive Knut Magne Haugland (HS 9/676/2)
This file on Knut Haugland, codenamed N.7 or 'Primus', contains reports on his training and conduct and an account of his capture and subsequent escape from the Gestapo. Haugland is best known for his involvement in the destruction of the Nordsk Hydro plant in Telemark, Norway, in 1943. There he assisted in stopping the manufacture of Heavy Water for the German nuclear bomb project. The film Heroes of Telemark starring Kirk Douglas was based on the events.
The release from prison of Dr Otto John (FO 371/137594)
Dr Otto John, famed for his failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler, was imprisoned in Germany in 1956 for treason and conspiracy after defecting from Western Germany. Following news of Dr John's imminent release and desire to enter the UK, this file shows correspondence between the Foreign Office and Home Office debating whether, 'as a convicted traitor', Dr John should remain on the 'stop list' and be refused entry.
