Oleg Lyalin, (1916 – 12 February 1995), a former Soviet agent who defected from the KGB. His defection led to the expulsion of 105 Soviet officials suspected as being Soviet spies from Britain on the 25 September 1971.
Mr. Lyalin was sent by the KGB to London in the 1960's, posing as an official with the Soviet Trade Delegation and was the first Soviet intelligence agent to defect since World War II.[1]
His defection came about after he was arrested in London by Policeman Charles Shearer for drink driving. His bail of £50 was paid by the Russian Trade Deligation but he was taken to a safe house by MI5.[2] He offered to disclose information about KGB activities in exchange for a new life with his Russian secretary, Irina Teplyakova, with whom he had begun an affair.[3]
The expulsion of 105 officials was the single biggest action taken against the Soviet Union by any western government. Sir Alec Douglas-Home, foreign secretary at the time, was accused by the Labour opposition of over-reaction.[4]
Lyalin was given a new identity by MI5 and remained in hiding until his death on the 12 February 1995.
References
- ^ "1971: Foreign Office names Soviet superspy". Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ "1971: 'I arrested a KGB superspy'". Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ "Oleg Lyalin, 57, A K.G.B. Defector". Retrieved 2008-01-14.
- ^ "Old fashioned Cold War weapon aimed at modern problem". Retrieved 2008-01-14.