ROMEO SPY

John Alexander Symonds

“I'd say: ‘join the KGB and see the world’ - first class. I went to all over the world on these jobs and I had a marvellous time. I stayed in the best hotels, I visited all the best beaches, I've had access to beautiful women, unlimited food, champagne, caviar whatever you like and I had a wonderful time. That was my KGB experience. I don't regret a minute of it ...”

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John Alexander Symonds
Codename SKOT

John Symonds was a Detective Sergeant in London's Metropolitan Police, working in its Criminal Investigation Department. John left England in 1972 and became a mercenary in Africa, using the skills he had learned as a former army officer. In late 1969 John had been caught up in a Times newspaper investigation into police corruption, and was eventually charged with corruptly receiving £150. The truth behind this newspaper story will be revealed on this website, and John will comment on the dubious evidence which also resulted in two of his Police colleagues receiving long prison sentences on similar charges.

John Symonds went abroad before the trial, and he prepared a detailed dossier to put the record straight about corruption in the Metropolitan Police force. After coming into contact with the KGB, John was used as an agent on a mission that involved Gunter Guillaume, who at that time was a spy within the private office of West Germany's Chancellor Willy Brandt. John then received special training in Moscow, and became a skilled "Romeo Spy".

      Download the final draft of John's new book Romeo Spy to learn about his true life story. All comments, suggestions and criticisms will be read, so please contact us with your ideas.

John gave an interview to Jon Ronson recently - check it here on the Radio 4 website or listen to it again on Jon Ronson's website! The transcript and audio recording of John's part of the interview is available on this page of our website.

Read what Nigel West said about John at the Raleigh Spy Conference!