In February 1934 Malcolm Muggeridge published his book Winter in Moscow and in the preface he stated that: “The characters and events are real people and real events’ (those with a taste for the sport may even amuse themselves by trying to spot the originals); but no particular character or particular event is necessarily real.”

A chapter entitled Ash-Blond Incorruptible describes an ash-blond, bearded, pipe-smoking, wine-drinking elderly, Mr. Wilfred Pye.  Jones, a young man was none of these but the description in every other respect in the chapter suggests that Muggeridge had him in mind using a great deal of literary licence.  His recount is that of a man with ‘corduroy breeches’ with ‘luggage fastened to his back’[rucksack].  It would be interesting to know whether Gareth Jones saw himself as Pye.

One Muggeridge paragraph recalls that while on the train three peasants watched Pye eat an orange and threw the peel into a spittoon.  A young man (a Communist) on the train denied there was food shortage at which the peasant: “leant forwards his hand went nearer the spittoon; suddenly made a dart and clutched the orange peel.  He ate it up ravenously, giving none to his two companions”.  These words are in essence identical to those of Jones in his famous Berlin press release of March 29^th.

The reader of Winter in Moscowiiii can interpret for himself whether Gareth Jones appreciated Malcolm Muggeridge’s description of him.  At least he was called ‘Incorruptible’.  In concluding the highly imaginary passage there is reference to a great English newspaper which may relate to David Lloyd George and Muggeridge writes: “Pye’s articles in the great English Liberal newspaper were widely read and

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