Reports On Conduct Of Diplomats Resented

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27669, 27 May 1955, Page 13

Reports On Conduct Of Diplomats Resented

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. A member of Britain’s Foreign Office staff complained to a trade union conference at Margate today about departmental reports made on the conduct of the wives and children of colleagues, both at home and overseas.

He also alleged that a diplomat had been rebuked in one report for smoking too much and that a military attache had been recalled for choosing friends “from the junior staff, rather than from his own rank.”

The complaints were made by Mr R. D. Murphy, who is on the staff of the Foreign Office in London. He was speaking at the annual meeting of the Civil Service Clerical Association. Describing the report system, Mr Murphy said: “If my wife happens to disagree at some formal function with the wife of a chancery head, I might

just as well pack up and go home because I have had my chips.” Mr Murphy said children were also involved. ‘‘lf my little Willie happens to break the greenhouse window of the ambassador’s residence, then I have had my chips again—unless the boy is a decent stick.” Mr Murphy added: “It is very funny when you are away from it, but when you are on the job and have to live in a small community, it is not nearly so funny.”

He said the cases of the diplomat who smoked too much and the attache who chose the “wrong” kind of friends were revealed in what was known as “private letter reports.” He said he would quote only these examples because “the others are too risky for me.” He added: “I am sure I will be hauled over the coals when I get back.”