Nigella Lawson's Spy Approach

06 May 2009

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Nigella Lawson nearly became a MI5 spy.

The TV chef was approached by bosses at the British security service when she was studying at Oxford University in the 80s but decided against joining up because her father, MP Nigel Lawson, did not want her to.

Nigella, 49, was targeted because she was taught by Elizabeth Manningham-Buller, who was MI5's director general from 2002 - 2007.

He explained: Shrewd MI5 recruiters appealed to the patriotism of those they approached and the phrase 'Dot it for king and country' was often a clincher

Author Gordon Thomas wrote in his new book 'Inside British Intelligence': "After Oxford, Elizabeth taught at the exclusive Queen's Gate school in London. Her pupils including the future television chef Nigella Lawson.

"Later, MI5 also approached Nigella, but her father, then the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had given his daughter similar advice: 'Steer clear of the intelligence people!' "

Thomas claims the intelligence service started turning to the famous Oxford and Cambridge universities to recruit after communism grew in Britain.

He explained: "Shrewd MI5 recruiters appealed to the patriotism of those they approached and the phrase 'Dot it for king and country' was often a clincher."

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