Intelligence archive: Cross dressing spy who caused a headache for British masters But when the British consul visited him, he found Lt Col Clarke "unconcerned" by his predicament but offering a different story, saying he had been taking the clothes to a woman in Gibraltar and had put them on as a "prank." "This hardly squares with the fact that the garments and shoes fitted him," the embassy noted. While the Spanish police were inclined to treat it as a "homosexual affair" and release Lt Col Clarke with a fine, the local Germans believed it was a "first class espionage incident" which they were determined to exploit. "I need hardly point out the damage this incident will do to us and The Times here," the embassy warned. Jokes have already begun about 'the editor' of The Times masquerading as a woman. It also said: "His luggage contained another complete set of women's clothes, a war correspondent's uniform and a note book with a number of names of people in London in it. Also papers and a roll of super fine toilet paper which particularly excited the police who are submitting each sheet too chemical tests. The potential for embarrassment was considered so great that prime minister Winston Churchill was informed, and instructions were sent to get Lt Col Clarke to the safety of Gibraltar as quickly as possible. "In no circumstances should it be revealed that C (larke) is a British officer," the Foreign Office insisted. Another note to the embassy staff said: "General headquarters will be grateful if you will do your best to secure release of Clarke and assist him to proceed as soon as possible to Cairo via Gibraltar." But staff were also asked: "Please keep him under strict surveillance. If he shows sings of mental derangement he should however be sent home by first ship.