TOP SECRET — UK EYES ONLY — PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Not to be copied. Not to be filed.

For my successor as Cabinet Secretary

Dr Mark Redstone

There is no entry regarding Redstone in the standing brief, and there shouldn't be. But you are likely to meet him before very long, if you haven't already, and you should hear about him from me rather than piece the facts together the way I had to. A basic and unhelpful file on him was left by my own predecessor, who struck me, on the one occasion we discussed Redstone’s involvement in HMG’s affairs, as a man chiefly keen to be rid of the subject rather than illuminate it for whoever came next. I hope to do rather better by you.

Redstone is a research chemist. He worked in France for a skincare company for some years, returned to the UK and was recruited to the Service as a Department of Energy policy official. He was popular with ministers, but seems to have been forced out of D/Energy after uncovering a scandal. He then founded a biotechnology company, London Bio, which he still runs. The company has had some successes in pharmaceuticals.

He holds the highest level of Developed Vetting clearance, a decision by the Director General of the Security Service which I have never had cause to regret. He has been drawn into matters of national significance on four occasions – see files attached: En/KP/20/367B, CO/SOR/22/19A, SS/DP/24/886H, plus a file in the SS/TCOT/26 series which is too sensitive to attach here.

You will wish to note that Redstone has developed an unusual relationship with the Prime Minister. He has had the PM's confidence since he was first recruited away from his company to aid HMG in a highly specialised and top-secret role – see file En/KP/20/367B. The relationship is real, and Redstone cannot be managed the way one manages a civil servant, a special adviser or a backbencher. My advice is not to compete with it. Use it. He has more than once been the reason a very bad week did not become a considerably worse one.

Redstone’s wife was murdered a couple of years after he founded London Bio. Naturally, this has affected his life. He has in recent years developed friendships with senior officials within the government machine, and has a very close relationship with Laura Smith, an MI5 officer.

A final note. This office has changed hands more often in recent years than any of us would have wished, not always in circumstances I care to revisit. Redstone was present, in one capacity or another, for most of it. Make of that what you will.

R.F.

Cabinet Secretary