On the alert with the Met
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THOSE still puzzling over the decision to give MI5 the job of gathering intelligence against the IRA, thereby replacing the Metropolitan Police Special Branch, may be enlightened by an unusual correspondence between the London police and James Rusbridger, writer and monitor of intelligence matters, who lives in Cornwall.
Mr Rusbridger, a former businessman and MI6 agent, is an indefatigable writer to national newspaper editors. His letters range over a wide variety of subjects, frequently offering his views on sloppy habits of modern intelligence men, though never on the subject of the IRA.
He has a no-nonsense style which some find irritating. Nevertheless, he was alarmed to receive in the post on 23 November a letter addressed to 'James Rusbridger, Chairman, Cornish IRA Supporters League, Lanivet, Nr Bodmin.'
The letter, signed 'R F Hudson & family & friends' and addressed only 'London W13 2XL', said: 'Dear Rusbridger, We note that you are still banging on about our country's treatment of Irish murderers . . . It is only people like you - detribalised shits - who rush to give comfort and, therefore, support to the Irish murderers.'
Mr Rusbridger's amusement ('I thought it funny at first') turned to dismay when he realised that several people, including the postman, might have noted the words on the envelope.
Who knew what lunatics, or Ulster Protestant loyalists, might be living near Bodmin?
'So, having failed to find Mr Hudson's name in the London phone book,' he said, 'I wrote to the police, politely asking them to trace him and call upon him, suggesting that such letter-writing, aside from being untrue, could lead to a breach of the peace.' He enclosed a copy of Mr Hudson's envelope.
An administrative officer of the Metropolitan Police then sent Mr Rusbridger a postcard dated 30 November, which promised that 'the matter is receiving attention'.
But Mr Rusbridger's dismay increased when he examined the front of the postcard, marked 'On Her Majesty's Service Commissioner of Police' and overprinted with the words 'Crime Stoppers'.
It was addressed to 'James Rusbridger, (Chairman) Cornish IRA Supporters League, Lanivet, Nr Bodmin.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments