Episode Summary: "The Spy Who Saved MI5 (Encore) | The Pressure Cooker | 2"
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Podcast: The Spy Who by Wondery
Hosts: Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey
Introduction
In the gripping second episode of The Spy Who Saved MI5, titled "The Pressure Cooker," listeners are plunged deeper into the high-stakes world of espionage during the Cold War era. Set against the backdrop of 1971 London, this episode unravels the intricate maneuvers between MI5 and a cunning KGB double agent, Oleg Lelen, as tensions escalate towards a potential showdown between British intelligence and Soviet spies.
MI5’s Strategic Maneuvers
The episode opens in March 1971 at an MI5 safe house in Fulham, West London. Tony Brooks, an experienced MI5 officer, is tasked with managing Oleg Lelen, a KGB agent turned double agent. Their relationship is complex, hinging not only on professional obligations but also on personal entanglements orchestrated by MI5 to ensure Lelen's cooperation.
Notable Quote:
"We specialize in wet operations. Assassinations. Sabotage."
— Oleg Lelen [00:03:45]
MI5's strategy involves leveraging Lelen's affair with his secretary, Irina Tepliakova, by threatening to expose their infidelity unless he cooperates. This manipulation ensures Lelen's compliance, allowing MI5 to extract vital intelligence on Soviet plans, particularly those that could jeopardize the UK's national security.
Political Intrigue and Operation Foot
As MI5 gathers intelligence, the episode delves into the political intricacies within the British government. Sir Martin Furnival Jones, MI5 Director General, presents a bold plan—Operation Foot—to expel over a hundred Soviet spies from Britain. However, gaining political consensus is fraught with challenges.
Notable Quote:
"It's a matter of national security, isn't it?"
— Sir Denys Greenhill, Foreign Office Permanent Secretary [00:15:30]
The Foreign Office and Home Office grapple with the economic repercussions and potential Soviet retaliation. The tension peaks when Sir Alec Douglas Hume insists on a joint memo to the Prime Minister, signaling a unified stance against Soviet espionage despite internal reservations.
Oleg Lelen’s Struggle and KGB’s Suspicion
Parallel to MI5's operations, Lelen's personal life deteriorates under pressure. His relationships become strained as MI5 tightens the noose, making him a pawn in a larger game of intelligence and betrayal. Lelen contemplates defection but is ensnared by threats against his family, pushing him towards a breaking point.
Notable Quote:
"I am a traitor to my country. Maybe."
— Oleg Lelen [00:19:45]
Concurrently, the KGB grows suspicious of Lelen's activities. A KGB counterintelligence officer scrutinizes reports highlighting Lelen's indiscretions, sensing that Lelen might be compromised. This internal investigation adds another layer of peril, as any misstep could lead to Lelen's demise and MI5's operational failure.
Escalation and the Brink of Exposure
By August 1971, pressures mount from all sides. MI5's Operation Foot gains traction, with the British government poised to act against Soviet espionage. However, the risk of exposure looms large as Lelen's personal struggles make him increasingly volatile.
A climactic moment occurs when Lelen's attempt to flee results in his arrest, jeopardizing MI5's plans. As he confronts the consequences of his actions, Lelen realizes that MI5 holds the keys to his fate, setting the stage for a desperate bid to salvage both his life and the intelligence mission.
Notable Quote:
"He might have screwed up, but he's already got a plan to get out of this mess."
— Narration [00:34:20]
Conclusion
"The Pressure Cooker" masterfully weaves together personal drama and geopolitical strategy, highlighting the immense pressures faced by spies and intelligence officers alike. As MI5 inches closer to potentially dismantling a substantial Soviet spy network, the personal cost to individuals like Oleg Lelen underscores the human element within the clandestine battles of the Cold War.
This episode sets the stage for an intense continuation, promising listeners further revelations and electrifying developments as the intricate dance between MI5 and the KGB reaches its boiling point.
Behind the Scenes
The Spy Who is meticulously crafted by a talented team, with Judy Cooper penning this episode and Marina Watson conducting thorough research. Produced by Vespucci writing and story editing by Yellow Ant, the episode benefits from the meticulous sound design by Iver Manley and the executive oversight of industry veterans like Johnny Galvin and Daniel Turkan. The authenticity of recreated scenes, though dramatized, is grounded in rigorous biographical research, ensuring an engaging and accurate portrayal of historical espionage.
Stay Tuned:
Don't miss the next episode in The Spy Who Saved MI5 series, where the tension continues to escalate, and the fate of MI5's Operation Foot hangs in the balance.