Stonehouse: Cabinet Minister, Fraudster, Spy

The 2023 ITV series "Stonehouse" is based on the true story of British MP and former cabinet minister John Stonehouse, who disappeared in 1974 and was found in Australia. He was a spy for the Czech State Security agency and had committed fraud. This is the definitive biography of Stonehouse, written by Julian Hayes, the son of Stonehouse's nephew and lawyer.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The true story behind the 2023 ITV series "Stonehouse," starring Matthew Macfayden and Keeley Hawes, is an extraordinary life that has been vividly recounted in the media. The Telegraph described it as "completely absorbing," while author Carol Ann Lee praised it as "a must-read." The book was so captivating that it was devoured in just a few hungry sittings by DR SalEYHA AHSAN, a filmmaker and journalist from Cambridge.

In November 1974, British MP and former cabinet minister John Stonehouse walked into the sea off a beach in Miami and disappeared, seemingly drowned. However, his extraordinary story took a surprising turn when he was found on the other side of the world, in Australia. Stonehouse was a Labour cabinet minister and a devoted family man who was also in a long-term affair with his secretary. He was also a spy for the Czech State Security agency, who had committed fraud and attempted to fake his own death to escape catastrophic business failures.

The question that remains is whether his dramatic disappearance was a result of a mental breakdown as he later claimed, or if there were more sinister reasons behind it. This is the definitive biography of Stonehouse, written by Julian Hayes, who, as the son of Stonehouse's nephew and lawyer, Michael Hayes, is uniquely placed to tell the story of this charismatic but deeply flawed politician.

Julian Hayes has conducted extensive research into Stonehouse's life and has uncovered many previously unknown details about his career and personal life. He has interviewed Stonehouse's family, friends, and colleagues, and has used his legal expertise to gain access to previously sealed records. The result is a comprehensive and detailed account of Stonehouse's life, from his early years to his final days.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Stonehouse's story is his involvement in espionage. He was recruited by the Czech State Security agency in the 1960s and worked as a spy for them for several years. His job involved gathering information on British and American political and military affairs, and he was often sent to countries such as Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and East Germany.

However, Stonehouse's espionage activities eventually caught up with him. In 1972, he was arrested and charged with fraud and attempted murder. He had been caught trying to fake his own death by drowning in the sea, and he had also been involved in a scheme to defraud his insurance company of millions of pounds.

Stonehouse was sentenced to seven years in prison, but he was released in 1975 after serving three years. He returned to Britain and tried to rebuild his life, but his reputation was damaged by his involvement in espionage. He was never able to return to his former position as a cabinet minister, and he spent the rest of his life working as a private consultant.

Despite his flaws, Stonehouse was a fascinating character who had a significant impact on British politics and history. His life was full of drama, intrigue, and scandal, and his story continues to captivate people to this day. Julian Hayes's biography provides a detailed and insightful account of Stonehouse's life, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in British politics, history, or espionage.

Weight: 318g
Dimension: 125 x 197 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472146533