"I don't see myself as a traitor or a hero"
It is not often that the Blake society comes up in a Contract Law supervision but when it does, it necessarily involves the intelligence services, dramatic prison escapes, spy novels and err well (some) law.
George Blake (born Behar), a former British spy and alumni of Downing College, has to be one of the most controversial figures in the recent history of the British intelligence services. Blake studied Russian in Downing College before being recruited as a spy although he was not part of the Cambridge Five. Working as a double agent for the Soviet Union, Blake was eventually found out and imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs Prison in 1961. In 1966, Blake escaped prison – by climbing over a wall with a rope ladder made of knitting needles – what’s he like?! – with the help of two friends and emigrated to Moscow where he still lives today aged 90.
Blake then went on to write about all the naughty things the UK government did in the Cold War in his book No Other Choice published in 1990. (This book was the subject of much litigation as Blake had breached his contract of confidentiality with the government). The (then) House of Lords referred to him as a ‘bad man’ in stark reflection of the fact that not much has been said that’s good about him. In fact, google him – all you get is ‘traitor’ and 'enemy of the Crown'.
So far, so SO dramatic. If that isn’t enough to get your revision-addled brains ticking, here’s some local gossip. When Blake was studying in Downing, the room now occupied by Prof Virgo (P4) used to be the Russian Director of Studies’ office. If ever you are in P4, remember Blake – the ‘Marxist traitor’ who was once there.
He was also (I think) at Downing before Sir Quentin, but perhaps we ended up being named after the better Blake?
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For extended procrastination - do have a look at this short BBC report:
Blake then went on to write about all the naughty things the UK government did in the Cold War in his book No Other Choice published in 1990. (This book was the subject of much litigation as Blake had breached his contract of confidentiality with the government). The (then) House of Lords referred to him as a ‘bad man’ in stark reflection of the fact that not much has been said that’s good about him. In fact, google him – all you get is ‘traitor’ and 'enemy of the Crown'.
So far, so SO dramatic. If that isn’t enough to get your revision-addled brains ticking, here’s some local gossip. When Blake was studying in Downing, the room now occupied by Prof Virgo (P4) used to be the Russian Director of Studies’ office. If ever you are in P4, remember Blake – the ‘Marxist traitor’ who was once there.
He was also (I think) at Downing before Sir Quentin, but perhaps we ended up being named after the better Blake?
--
For extended procrastination - do have a look at this short BBC report:
