ROYAL FLIGHT DELAYED Rumours Of Mau Mau Plot Denied

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28531, 10 March 1958, Page 9

ROYAL FLIGHT DELAYED Rumours Of Mau Mau Plot Denied

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NAIROBI, March 8. The Kenya Government tonight denied emphatically that the delayed departure of the Queen Mothers’ plane from Mauritius was in any way associated with a security problem. The statement, which was issued by a Government spokesman, came after rumours of a plot to assassinate the Queen Mother in Nairobi on her arrival from Mauritius. The spokesman said: “The Kenya Government denies emphatically that the delay to the Queen Mother’s aeroplane is in any way associated with security problems. “The aircraft had developed serious engine trouble and required a new engine installed. “That was a major operation which required considerable time. There is absolutely nothing other than a major mechanical fault delaying the Queen Mother’s flight.” The Queen Mother was due in Nairobi earlier today to open the new £2,560,000 airport. But when the Qantas SuperConstellation airliner bringing her home from Australia landed at Mauritius it was’ stated that the plane had engine trouble, and would be delayed 48 hours. The Queen Mother is staying at the residence of the Governor of Mauritius (Sir Robert Scott), who met her at the airport. She inspected a guard of honour, and was introduced to leading personalities and officials of the small island colony. Three Engines The American Associated Press reported earlier today that the Queen Mother’s plane had flown into Mauritius on only three engines. She had sent a special message to the people of Kenya, expressing her regret at the inconvenience caused. A Qantas spokesman at Port Louis later said that the captain had feathered one engine and landed on three engines. The spokesman did not know at what distance from Mauritius the trouble had developed. The British United Press said it was announced in Nairobi tonight that a Mau Mau terrorist had been detained for suspected plotting against the Queen Mother. Government circles in London said early today that there was no substance in reports circulating in Kenya of a plot to assassinate the Queen Mother. An indication that the reports were regarded as baseless had been given ip a message to London from Kfenya.

Government circles also said that as the delay in the Queen Mother’s return had been prolonged, it might result in the cancellation of her engagement to open Nairobi airport because of uncertainty in the time of her arrival in Kenya.