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O~ The F.0. suggested we give Philby a job SAYS By JOHN DICKIE (PRE Third Man mystery plunged the Foreign Office into barrassment iast night. The Editor of the Observer, Mr. David Astor. issued a Statement claiming that the Foreign Office suggested that the Obserrer employ Harold “Kim” Philby, the fresh em-. (Mount Clipping in Space Below) ex-diplomat colleague of de- - fector Guy Burgess. The Observer statement was made “with the agreement and approval of the Editor of the Economist." Mr. Donald Tyerman. Philby also worked for the Economist until he dis- appeared from Beirut. The Observer said: “Mr. H. A. R. Philby went to the Middle East as a correspondent fer the Observer and the Econonvist jointly in 1956. “The suggestion that the Obser- » er employ Mr. Philby came 1 fee Foreign O - —_— _ ———Repeated___ “In November 1955 the then Foreign Secretary. Mr Mac- millan, had stated: I have no reason to conclude that Mr, Philby has betrayed the in- taresits of this country or to identify him with the so-called Third Man, if, indeed, there was one," “Privately, the Foreign Office repeated this assurance to the Observer, added that Mr. Philby, after resigning from the Foreign Office, had retained no connection with them, and said it seemed unfair that ao able a man should find difficulty earning a living as a journalist now that he had full clearance from the Foreign Secretary. “The Observer agreed and accordingly asked the £cone- mist to share Mr. Philby's ser- vices in the Middle East, inviting them to make their own check on Mr. Philby with the Foreign Office. as | | MoO nint “The Econontist did so. They were given the same assur- ances as the Observer. Between that date and Mr. Heath's statement yesterday, the Foreign Office gave neither publication any Hint tha: there was fTeason to suspect Mr, Philby's lovalty. though the Observer informed the Foreign Office immediately it learned of Mr, Philby’s disappearance.” An inquiry into the background of the Phiitby affair will be sought by the Labour Party. Mr. Harold Wilson favours investigation by a group of ‘Privy Councillors. Their report, censored for security, could be seen by M.P 3. But Mr, Macmillan, who is responsible for security, is unlikely to oblige. His general attitude in the Commons yes- terday was to wave aside Opposition pReeee— Tas un- » important. : | | aha eval eb Mr. Tolson. Mr, Belmont... Mr Crenor Thy 6 Maha Mr. Seon? Mr. Prarie Mr, Gal- Mr. Rosette ur fpr Ne. Taw. Mr. Provtor Tele, Theom | Miss Vetoes Miss Gandy . \ 2 IE ER TS i mpd wr sree eNO {Indicate page, name of hewspaper, city and state.) DAILY MAIL London, England Date: July 3, 1963 Edition: Author: John Dickie Editor: Titie: HAROLD "KIM" PHILBY Character: ESPIONAGE - R Classification: Submitting Office: oT RECORDED i gut 11 1963