Obituary: Sir James Scott-Hopkins

In his obituary of Sir James Scott-Hopkins [14 March], Richard O'Sullivan tells us that "Politics was but part of Jim Scott-Hopkins's life." Indeed, writes D. F. King. According to David Leigh's book The Wilson Plot (1988), Scott-Hopkins served in the Second World War, and remained until 1950, in Military Intelligence.

According to Leigh, Alec Douglas-Home asked Scott-Hopkins in 1965 to investigate rumours circulating about Harold Wilson's private and political life. This work included developing links with key members of the "Wilson circle" such as Joseph Kagan. He also picked up political gossip: later, it was over lunch with Mrs Kagan that he learnt of the Government's intention to devalue sterling.