British Library Blocked from Acquiring Kim Philby's Archive by Cabinet Office

Government officials intervened to prevent the purchase to avoid enriching the Soviet spy's widow.

Newly released documents reveal the Cabinet Office's efforts to stop the British Library from buying Kim Philby's personal papers in 1994.
The library intended to acquire the papers without using public funds, seeking a private benefactor instead.
Cabinet Secretary Sir Robin Butler expressed concerns over the political sensitivity of the deal.
The library ultimately dropped its interest, and the papers were sold at Sotheby's for £150,000.
Philby, a member of the Cambridge Five spy ring, was responsible for numerous agent deaths before defecting to the Soviet Union.