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The 'Big Brother' Sequel - Britain's MI5 Spied on "1984" Author, George Orwell

In a story rich in irony, recent released files from the British National Archives have announced to the world that MI5 – the British counter-intelligence and security agency – were keeping tabs on George Orwell, under suspicion of being a communist.

Now those of us with left wing tendencies these days rarely have to worry about being observed (I hope), but for George Orwell in post WWI and WWII Europe, communism was not a particularly healthy political stance to take; especially if one was a public figure.

The 'Big Brother' Sequel - Britain's MI5 Spied on "1984" Author, George Orwell

In a story rich in irony, recent released files from the British National Archives have announced to the world that MI5 – the British counter-intelligence and security agency – were keeping tabs on George Orwell, under suspicion of being a communist.

Now those of us with left wing tendencies these days rarely have to worry about being observed (I hope), but for George Orwell in post WWI and WWII Europe, communism was not a particularly healthy political stance to take; especially if one was a public figure.