Abstract

Prof Christopher Andrew (official historian of MI5 , & founder of the Cambridge Intelligence Seminar) and investigative journalist & academic Dr Stephen Dorril (co-founder of “Lobster”, a journal for politics, parapolitics and history) discuss how historians can tell the difference between secrecy and fantasy, and engage with the ever-increasing popularity of conspiracy narratives in contemporary societies. Both panellists are experts in researching governments’ secret activities, and yet because of the source problem – how do we know that something happened if those involved went out of their way to cover their tracks? – they draw starkly different conclusions from the evidence they find. Please arrive early to be guaranteed a seat! To check out “Lobster”, visit http://www.lobster-magazine.co.uk/