Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hanged spy sent letter on fetishes

Simon Midgley
Friday 18 February 1994 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

DAYS before James Rusbridger, the former MI6 spy, was found dead, hanging from a rope in his Cornwall home on Wednesday wearing a long black oilskin-type coat and a gas mask, he wrote to ITN claiming that the sado- masochistic practices that Stephen Milligan appears to have been indulging in before his death are more common than most people suppose.

The Conservative MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire was found dead in his London home last week, naked apart from a pair of women's stockings, a black plastic bag over his head and an electrical flex bound around one ankle.

In his letter Mr Rusbridger, who said he was researching a book on the subject, claimed that the number of 'household names' - including television personalities and at least two members of the Royal Family - who bought sexual fetish equipment was 'amazing'.

And Mr Milligan's form of autoerotic asphyxiation, aimed at increasing sensation at orgasm, he added, was one of the most prevalent forms of sado-masochism.

Mr Rusbridger said he knew of a High Court judge who wrote detailed booklets about girls at German-run reformatories who were punished with bondage and whippings by matrons.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in