TNAG-2701-FCO40-3907-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 2

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27 October 1993

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL

LAST PAPER

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

35

London SW1A 2AH

Sir David Gillmore KCMG

The Permanent Under Secretary of State

071 270 2150

Sir Robin Butler GCB CVO Cabinet Office

My dear Robin,

fr

Cradock file

77

икво10.12.

PANORAMA PROGRAMME: SIR PERCY CRADOCK

1

CRADOCK

1. Sir Percy Cradock sent me a copy of his letter to you of 14 October about his possible participation in a forthcoming Panorama programme on intelligence. We have looked at this idea carefully. There is a read-across to the Scott Inquiry (the relationship between policy and intelligence); tricky ground on which Sir Percy would have to be briefed. There is also the risk that any former official appearing on an investigative programme of this kind would be forced to look defensive when pressed to give specific examples which would contravene the Official Secrets Act. But, I believe, these problems are not insuperable; if Sir Percy were suitable briefed, he would handle them more skilfully than someone with less experience. To refuse participation by any formal official would hardly be consistent with the positive decision taken over Lady Park.

He

2. I have shown Sir Percy's letter to the Foreign Secretary and discussed with him the terms of my advice. agrees that you should give Sir Percy a green light and encourage him to seek suitable briefing before he undertakes the interview.

Yous

fand

eur

Sir J Coles Daunt

Sir T Daunt

Mr CaИan, PUSD

Mr Gerken, PUSD

Mr Culshaw, News Department

David Gillmore

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL