Blackmail Claim By M.P.

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30979, 8 February 1966, Page 17

Blackmail Claim By M.P.

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 7. A Conservative member of Parliament yesterday described his affair with an attractive Russian girl with whom he claims the Soviet secret service is trying to blackmail him. Commander Anthony Courtney made the allegation in the “News of the World.” A former head of the Russian section of naval intelligence, the commander believes that he is being

“framed” because of his campaign to push through Parliament a bill curtailing the diplomatic immunity of Communist embassy employees, which he maintains is a “licence to spy” at present. The “News of the World" said that last August 6 it received a “well produced pamphlet (that) made crude allegations against the commander. Among other things, it showed pictures of him with a woman.” Traced to Moscow

The newspaper said the pamphlet, later traced to Moscow, apparently was a “plant” to ruin Commander Courtney politically and financially. The Russian plot could de; termine whether the Conservative Party would allow the commander to stand for re-election to the Commons from his East Harrow constituency, United Press International said.

'Hie circular the “News of the World” received also was sent to the Paymaster-Gene-ral, Mr George Wigg. who handles Government security matters. Commander Courtney’s wife, and several members of Parliament, the newspaper said. i Since receiving the circular,

Harrow Conservatives have indicated that they will consider other candidates for the seat at the next General Election.

The scandal already had financially hurt the commander, who. since his retirement from intelligence work, had been running a thriving business as an export consultant on the Soviet Union and Iron Curtain countries, said the newspaper. Well informed sources said today Britain had protested to the Soviet Union in connexion with Commander Courtney’s claim. The Foreign Office declined to comment, however.