In 1961 the British security services arrested five members of what would become known to history as the Portland Spy Ring. The group are one of the most famous examples of ‘resident’ spies, operating illegally without diplomatic cover or support. Additionally, two of its members were British citizens, living otherwise ordinary lives. In his talk, Stephen Dalziel will explain how this group of ‘ordinary’ people did extraordinary damage to British interests in the Cold War.
Stephen Dalziel is a Russia analyst and former executive director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce. He spent more than 15 years at the BBC World Service, covering the Soviet Union and later Russia from 1988 to 2004. He previously lectured on Soviet military affairs at RMA Sandhurst’s Soviet Studies Research Centre. Stephen Dalziel holds a BA in Russian studies from the University of Leeds.