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_ lifence paymasters. Only the C.LA., it is argued, Would pay an- agent so liberally. And’ so, the theory ‘goes, the Russians kidnapped him, Bot wanting fo take any chances. ” . A mistake: ‘ In_a remarkable broadcast on the B.B.C, Home Service yesterday. Mr Douglas Stewart, the B.B.C. correspondent in Washington. re- counted a conversation he had with Philby in the Middle East several years ago. during which Philby explained his role in the Burgess and Maclean affair. According to Mr Stewart. Philby claimed that, ;far from tipping off ‘Maclean, he’ had advised the ‘Foreign Office security branch that “they were making ‘a mistake in Jhaving Maclean ‘shadowed and itkeeping secret documents. away from him, ‘He told them it would “be better to leave. Maclean alone tin the hope that other security weaknesses might come to light. But. Philby told Mr Stewart. his advice was not taken. Later »he himself was interrogated for “three days by “a huge man of _ about six feet three inches, with a face of cement and steel.” whose name Mr Stewart said he knew, - but could not reveal. There is a belief among some people who know Philby that, his admission to being “the third .-man" was not truthful, and was made for some undisclosed reason. j possibly under the influence of drink.. Close friends of Philby living in London have told me that ; allegations that he was a homo- sexual are “utterly ludigrous.” »