Evidence · Marconi scientists' deaths, 1982–1990

The government withheld detail and refused an inquiry

The MoD declined to say what Brittan and Bowden did for it, refused to hold or publish an inquiry, and kept the police reports unpublished; MI5 was reported to have looked at the deaths. This is consistent with a cover-up but also with routine secrecy about defence staff.

Suggestive0

What it means

Key questionDid any of the deaths share a common cause, such as killings by an intelligence service?

3 answers, none ahead yet

Openunchanged

Answer this evidence bears onWestern intelligence killed or covered up

Bears onnone for, none against

Still possiblewas No evidence yet

What it implies

Official secrecy keeps the question open but is not itself evidence of killings.For the key question: Did any of the deaths share a common cause, such as killings by an intelligence service?

Next steps 2

Read FCO 65/3861 and FCO 7/8389 at Kew

Adds evidenceFair odds~6 h

On: Did any of the deaths share a common cause, such as killings by an intelligence service?Set by this evidence

11score

Details

The open Foreign Office files on Wash (1986) and Moyle (1991) are the only official files on any of these deaths known to be readable. They would show what the government knew and said privately.

Request the Avon and Somerset police reports on Dajibhai and Sharif

Adds evidencePoor odds

On: Did any of the deaths share a common cause, such as killings by an intelligence service?

4score

Details

Freedom of Information request to Avon and Somerset Police and to the Avon coroner for the 1986-87 reports and inquest files. If released, they would show what evidence of third parties, if any, was found.

Ranked by how likely each is to move the key question, for the time it takes

Sources 6

Coincidence or conspiracy?

Eliason 1988

SRC

Dr. John Brittan: written answer, House of Commons, 19 April 1988 (HC Deb vol 131 c426W)

Commons 1988

SRC

Mr. V. Dajibhai and Mr. A. Sharif: written answer, House of Commons, 25 March 1987 (HC Deb vol 113 c159W)

Commons 1987

SRC

Pentagon wants to investigate scientists mystery

NZPA-AP 1988

SRC

Professor Keith Bowden: written answer, House of Commons, 11 November 1988 (HC Deb vol 140 c322W)

Commons 1988

SRC

Scientists and Computer Experts (Deaths): written answers, House of Commons, 11 November 1988 (HC Deb vol 140 c322W)

Commons 1988

SRC

Cite it

Mysteries Department. (2026). The government withheld detail and refused an inquiry [Evidence EVD0DGGC4EEYRG4]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/EVD0DGGC4EEYRG4

@misc{mysteriesdept_evd0dggc4eeyrg4,
  title     = {The government withheld detail and refused an inquiry},
  author    = {{Mysteries Department}},
  year      = {2026},
  note      = {Evidence, catalog key EVD0DGGC4EEYRG4},
  url       = {https://mysteriesdept.com/r/EVD0DGGC4EEYRG4}
}