Main content

Witness History: The Cambridge Spies

Louise Hildago explores the story of communist spies, Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, whose activities were revealed in 1956.

**** 4 Extra marks 75 years since British diplomats turned KGB spies, Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean, defected to the Soviet Union on May 25th 1951

Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean were recruited as communist spies while at university in Cambridge.

But their activities in Britain only came to light at the height of the Cold War in February 1956.

Louise Hildago follows their story.

Presenter/Producer: Louise Hildago

First broadcast on the BBC World Service in February 2010.

Available now

10 minutes

Last on

Sun 24 May 202602:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

Broadcasts

  • Mon 8 Feb 201000:50
    BBC World Service Online
  • Mon 8 Feb 201008:50
    BBC World Service Online
  • Sat 23 May 202607:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 23 May 202612:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 23 May 202618:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 24 May 202602:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

Featured in...