Guyon Espiner

like, what, a friendly New Zealander who just happens to offer them an introduction to an American missile guidance expert?

Yeah, I suppose it's always theoretically possible that we are the victims of an elaborate influence operation run by anyone from the SIS to the GRU.

This is the wilderness of mirrors, after all.

But we're as confident as we can reasonably be in this story.

And your family background, John, and your knowledge of Kit Bennett's and his work, that goes a long way too, right?

And this second source, it's backed up pretty much everything until now.

Yeah, Kit Bennett has told us that money was not a factor in the relationship with Vladimir.

Even when it came to the shopping list we told you about, that Vladimir was only covering his expenses rather than compensating him for the risks he was starting to run by bringing in sensitive material.

Yeah, that makes sense, doesn't it?

They might get on well, but not well enough to be going out of your way to get into danger.

I mean, you need a real motive for that.

Like the sheepskin coats.

He says they sold quite a few of them, but never kept a cent.

And if you're quietly thinking he might have held on to the money and kept quiet about it for 40 years, that's highly unlikely for another reason that is also confirmed by the second source.

All the meetings with Vladimir were recorded.

What sort of kit are you talking about?

Like something hidden in a room?

So you weren't wearing a wire?

OK, so you're thinking that it's more likely, Kit Bennett has told Vladimir, that he can get access to this weapons expert for money.

And stealing the tech.