He seldom settled an account unless pressed to do so, and often not even then. Ronnie smoked large cigars, drank brandy and whisky by the quart, ate at the best restaurants and dispensed extravagant presents.

He could rob you and love you at the same time.’

As David’s brother Tony – himself one of Ronnie’s victims – wrote: ‘He could put a hand on your shoulder and the other in your pocket and both gestures would be equally sincere. Olive left him in the care of his father Ronnie, a charismatic and philandering conman who swindled friends and family alike while maintaining he was doing them a favour. ‘Sixteen hugless years’ followed as a succession of substitute mothers came and went. Today, the second of three extracts tells how le Carré has spent his life in the shadow of his philandering father: an audacious conman, a friend to the rich and famous, an indefatigable womaniser – and, as we here reveal, a drunken child abuser…ĭavid Cornwell remembers little of his mother, only her scent and a gloved hand, and never forgave her for abandoning him. Last week, our first extract from the sensational new biography of David Cornwell – the real name of bestselling spy novelist John le Carré – revealed how he conducted a series of affairs, including an explosive relationship with the wife of his best friend. Loveless childhood: David Cornwell - the real name of bestselling spy novelist John le Carré - poses for a photo in 1964

Sisman le carre