Thatcher 'Shattered' by Revelations in 'Spycatcher', Newly Released Files Show

Publication of the controversial memoir led to the first public acknowledgment of MI5 and increased scrutiny of UK's intelligence services.

Newly released National Archives files reveal that former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was 'shattered' by the revelations in 'Spycatcher', a memoir by ex-MI5 officer Peter Wright.
The memoir, which made explosive claims about UK espionage operations, was initially banned in the UK but was published in Australia and the US after the UK government lost a high-profile court case.
The government's attempts to suppress the book led to public acknowledgment of the Security Service (MI5) for the first time.
Following the 'Spycatcher' scandal, the Security Service Act was introduced to bolster public confidence in the service, leading to the public acknowledgment of other intelligence services like MI6 and GCHQ.
Despite the government's efforts to suppress the memoir, its publication led to increased scrutiny of MI5's activities and operations.