British diplomat in Lisbon, David Eccles to his Foreign Office colleague, Gladwyn Jebb, “most confidential” telegram, 4 July 1940
I had some conversation today with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Mr and Mrs George Wood and Major Phillips. They are very nearly 5th column
On the same day, Winston Churchill drafted a memo to the prime ministers of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, marked, ‘Most secret and personal. Decipher yourself’
The activities of the Duke of Windsor on the Continent in recent months have been causing HM and myself grave uneasiness as his inclinations are well known to be pro-Nazi and he may become a centre of intrigue. We regard it as a real danger that he should move freely on the Continent. Even if he were willing to return to this country, his presence here would be most embarrassing both to HM and to the Government
In all the circumstances it has been felt necessary to try to tie him down in some appointment which might appeal to him and his wife and I have decided with HM’s approval to offer him the Governorship of the Bahamas (I do not know yet whether he will accept). Despite the obvious objections to this solution, we feel that it is the least of possible evils. I wished you to have the earliest possible advance information of this. You will appreciate how necessary it is to preserve complete secrecy. We here are of course doing all we can to ensure this