Len Burt - Dorset Spycatcher

Leonard Burt was a Dorset Constabulary policeman whose groundwork led to the arrest of five members of the Portland Spy Ring in 1961.

During the autumn of 1959 the Detective Officer became aware of Harry Houghton, a Portland Naval Base clerk whose lifestyle and excessive drinking were incompatible with his clerk’s salary. Burt found it quite incredible that this man, who had been sent back from Poland because of his excessive drinking and black market activities, had been posted to the Portland Underwater Establishment. Here, some of Britain’s most secret submarine defence activities were carried out. Houghton had been involved in selling penicillin, a drug which was in short supply in Poland. He also frequently boasted about his invitations to attend parties at the Polish Embassy where he met up with old Polish friends.

Burt’s discreet observations led to him finding that Houghton spent many evenings drinking heavily in the Elm Tree public house, Langton Herring. He would then make his way home along minor country roads so as to avoid the police. His former wife had reported to the British authorities that Houghton was spying for the Russians. However, these claims were dismissed believing that they came from a disaffected divorcee.

Leonard Burt’s report was duly despatched to the Security Services and it eventually led to the conviction of five members of the Portland Spy Ring at the Central Criminal Court. Two, Houghton and his girlfriend ‘Bunty’ Gee lived in Dorset while the others resided in London. 'Bunty' was working in the registry of the Portland Underwater Establishment where the most secret files were kept. She had taken many files so that other members of the spy ring could photograph them. Apparently, Houghton and Gee were paid £125, a lot of money in 1960, each time they travelled up to London with information. Among incriminating evidence found in Houghton’s house were £3,700 of saving certificates, £500 in premium bonds and £500 in cash. Also found was a Christmas card from Bunty Gee which read: ‘Ours is a dangerous business!’

Houghton and Gee served nine years of their sentences after which they married and moved to Poole. Len Burt later moved to a flat in Poole only to discover that Houghton and Gee were living opposite him!

(Source: Portland Spycatcher by Ex-Assistant Chief Constable Leonard Burt - 1962.)