Stalin (very probably) had Kirov assassinated, then claimed this act was part of some great conspiracy and used it as an excuse to begin the great purge. Very conveniently, all those purged were his political enemies.

Who knows, maybe the "death threat" thing's a lie or an exaggeration, or maybe someone actually did phone M and make a threat, but either way it'll be laid at our door. Some lone bongo is not an effective enemy; but EPO and F8 are.

Neville B