John le Carré on the inspiration for George Smiley

John le Carré hits out at accusations that his portrayal of the world of espionage had “hurt” his former mentor in the intelligence services, on whom he partly based his most celebrated character, George Smiley

John Bingham, John le Carré’s Secret Service mentor on whom he based his most celebrated character, George Smiley, portrayed by Alec Guinness, right. The author has explained his differences of opinion with Bingham over the role of the Secret Services 

By Jasper Copping, Ben Farmer and Hayley Dixon

The Telegraph - 04 Mar 2014

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His greatest literary creation was no stranger to accusations and differences of opinion during Britain's Cold War intelligence battle.

Now, John le Carré has shed new light on the man who inspired the spymaster George Smiley, and defended himself against claims that he "hurt" his former mentor.

The author, who worked for MI5 and MI6 during the 1950s and 1960s, has written to The Daily Telegraph to respond to a letter in Tuesday's newspaper that suggested that John Bingham, his friend and colleague, had "deplored" his portrayal of the intelligence services.

Le Carré, writing under his real name, David Cornwell, said that he had "unqualified admiration" for Bingham but that their views on the role of the Secret Services differed greatly.

He described Bingham, the 7th Baron Clanmorris, as "a most honourable, patriotic and gifted man". He wrote: "Surely there can be few better tributes to a friend and colleague than to create – if only from some of his parts – a fictional character who has given pleasure and food for thought to an admiring public." 
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