Tax break gives Le Carré's kids £1.5m to Smiley about

Spy author's archive is officially classed as cultural heritage

- ATHENA STAVROU

John le Carré's literary archive is not only preserving his cultural legacy but also securing his children's financial future - saving them a hefty tax bill as his works gain fresh momentum on the global stage.

Arts Council England has revealed that the late author's archive - comprising 918 boxes and valued at £1.5m - has been officially classified as cultural heritage. This designation allows the sum to be offset against inheritance tax while ensuring the collection remains preserved for the nation.

The extensive archive includes manuscripts, draft texts, research notes and travel diaries from across le Carré's career, according to the national development agency for creativity and culture. Currently, the archive has been temporarily allocated to the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, pending a decision on its permanent home.

Le Carré's influence doesn't stop there. Two of his sons manage the production company with exclusive rights to adapt his novels for the screen, while another continues his legacy by writing new stories featuring George Smiley, his most famous creation.

David Cornwell, better known by his pen name John le Carré, was working in MI6 when he shot to fame as an international bestselling author in the 1960s.