Madrid: The Claire Case

A file of correspondence relating to the Claire case, in which a French naval officer who had been sent to Spain as a British agent was accused of treachery, kidnapped and transported to Gibraltar. Subjects discussed in the file include complaints after Claire’s appointment; allegations that he had betrayed British secrets to Spanish and Vichy French authorities; correspondence concerning how to deal with Claire, including a request to have him assassinated; a letter by Anthony Eden recounting the failures of security that led to him being employed and sent to Spain; press reports of the kidnapping, from England, France and Italy; the French diplomatic response; the denial of involvement by the British government; and arrangements for the sale of the car used in the kidnapping.