UK bribed Spain to stay out of WWII
Britain paid millions of pounds to military and political leaders in Spain to ensure they remained neutral during the Second World War, secret files reveal.
Some $10 million was paid to one double agent alone to distribute to key individuals, including General Franco’s brother Nicholas, in the hope they would not enter the conflict.
But despite the money, intelligence officers later suspected General Franco of ordering his officials to pass on secrets to the Germans.
The effective bribes also sparked a row with the US after the Americans froze the money planned for Britain’s “friends in Spain”.
The $10 million were to be paid to Juan March, a contact who had served as a double agent for Britain during the First World War, according to the intelligence papers released by the National Archives....