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21 May 2000
MI6 link to Lockerbie briefings
Glasgow professor in charge of Camp Zeist
information unit was sixth most powerful spy in the
UK
Publication Date: May 21 2000IT'S a long way from Rothesay Academy to the art
deco HQ of MI6 on the banks of the Thames at
Vauxhall Cross. But Andrew Fulton did it. In fact, this
gentlemanly, erudite son of a Scottish reverend rose
so rapidly through the ranks of the Secret
Intelligence Service that he became the sixth most
powerful spy in the United Kingdom.Today, Fulton faces losing his job as co-ordinator of
Glasgow University's Lockerbie Trial Briefing Unit
following investigations into his MI6 career.
Revelations that he was one of the most glittering
talents in MI6 have destroyed claims by the briefing
unit that its self- appointed task of briefing the
world's press over Lockerbie was carried out with
the highest standards of impartiality and fairness.Fulton was recruited into '6' while still an
undergraduate at Glasgow University by a member
of the academic staff. He was posted to Siagon in
1969 where he worked as a junior but operational
MI6 officer.In 1992, he took one of the most senior jobs in the
Secret Intelligence Service - the Security Officer
responsible for eastern European operations -
codenamed SBO/T. He was one of the MI6 chiefs
handed the plans to kill Serb president Slobodan
Milosevic.Fulton's last posting, which he held from 1995-99,
saw him installed as head of station for MI6 in
Washington - codenamed H/WAS. This is the sixth
most powerful position within MI6. Only four MI6
directors and the service's chief, Sir David
Spedding, were above him. Fulton officially retired
from the Foreign Office in 1999.When questioned by the Sunday Herald, Fulton
denied that he had any "substantial" knowledge of
Lockerbie prior to joining the university's briefing
unit. One MI6 source described this claim as
"rubbish", saying: "At one time, Lockerbie would
have been right at the top of his agenda. He would
have been up to his neck in discussions with the
CIA about the bombing, and would have massive
inside knowledge about the case."MI6 chiefs don't retire. They just step down, but
they are in constant contact with their former
colleagues, passing them information. MI6 has a
vested interest in the outcome of this case. We act
for Britain and Britain has taken this prosecution.
Everything British intelli-gence knew about
Lockerbie is contained in Fulton's head."Former colleagues describe Fulton as "charming
but ruthless and a devastatingly efficient operator".Fulton claimed: "Whatever my diplomatic past may
be, I am now part of this unit. We talk to the press
strictly on legal aspects of the trial. There is no
hidden agenda. Lockerbie was never a subject
which came up in my diplomatic career. I was never
involved with the Middle East. I knew little about it
until I came to Glasgow."If I did have an intelligence background, it would not
be something I could give a straight answer to."
Referring to the Official Secrets Act, he said: "There
are rules governing what government officials can
and can't say. People can draw their own
conclusion about my career, if it is being said I was
a spy, that is something I can't comment on. I can't
comment on intelligence matters."Fulton said he considered it "naughty" that
allegations were being made about his past. When
asked if this was because the allegations were
false, he replied: "No. It's because they are
mischievous and are muddying the waters of a
perfectly decent objective and endeavour. The unit
is entirely unbiased and unpartisan. In no way are
we pro-prosecution. My diplomatic past would have
no negative impact on the trial briefings."Prof John Grant, head of the briefing unit and an
international lawyer specialising in the UN and
human rights, said: "I knew nothing of Andrew's
intelligence background. It's vital the unit is
perceived by the press and public as independent
and impartial. We're meant to exist to help the press
report the trial fairly."I value Andrew as a friend and colleague, but if the
allegations of his spying career are proved true then
I'll have to speak to him about his continued
involvement in the unit. I've no suspicion he has
prejudiced our work, but perception is everything.
This would not be a sacking. I'd just ask him to step
down. Andrew is an honourable man and would do
what I asked."Fulton volunteered his services to the unit when he
was asked by the university to join as a visiting
professor to the School of Law. The work of the unit
is funded by the university, although the US Justice
Department's Office for the Victims of Crime and
the Law Society of Scotland sponsored the
production of a trial hand-book co-written by Fulton.The unit has given hundreds of briefings to
journalists and coached a variety of news
organisations, including the entire Washington
press corps, on aspects of the trial. So far its
website has received 1.7 million hits.Although Grant is to discuss Fulton's future with the
briefing unit this week, he has no power to remove
him as a visiting professor. That is a matter for the
university's management. Last night, a spokesman
for the university played down any need for an
inquiry into the spying revelations, saying: "Why
would there be any need for an investigation?
Working for the intelligence services is not illegal."Fulton, who has never practised law, is not listed as
a certified lawyer in Scotland. Already backs are
beginning to be turned on Fulton. The Law Society
of Scotland said: "We helped sponsor the briefing
unit's handbook but apart from that we have no
involvement with the Glasgow University team. We
don't want to be involved in this."
Prince Charles bids to
save monarchySpectre of strife-torn
Congo looms large
over daunted UNLockerbie press aide
was top MI6 agentTrimble warning to IRA
Broke queen bought
Balmoral with cash
from secret admirer
Lockerbie special
report
