Uri Geller, the self-proclaimed psychic known for his ability to bend spoons, had his telepathic skills tested by the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Newly published documents shows that Geller went to the Stanford Research Institute in 1973 for a week of experiments as part of the CIA’s Stargate programme, which looked at psychic powers and whether they could be weaponised in some way.

The CIA concluded: “As a result of Geller’s success in this experimental period, we consider that he has demonstrated his paranormal perception ability in a convincing and unambiguous manner.”

The cache of documents were declassified after a two-year campaign by freedom-of-information activists and a lawsuit against the CIA.