BUTLER SILENT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30267, 21 October 1963, Page 13

BUTLER SILENT

Passed Over Twice (N .Z.P .A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, October 18. Hollow-eyed and solemn. Mr Butler, twice passed over ait the last hurdle in the British Premiership stakes, came slowly down the stairs of his London home tonight and said: “I am afraid I have nothing ait ail to say.” Mr Butler 1 as been Acting Prime Minister since Mr Macmillan fell ill. Few people saw him leave. Only one photographer was there to take his picture. For 60-year-old Richard Austen Butler it was again a case of "always the bridesmaid. never the bride.” In 1957 as Sir Anthony Eden’s deputy he was poised for “the wal'- up the aisle.” Instead, he had to congratulate his rival. Mr Macmillan, on the honour. He has filled most of the Government posts during his long career, except the one he wanted most. His wife. Mrs Mollie Butler, questioned by reporters, said she would rather not talk about her reaction to the appointment of Lord Home as Prime Minister-Designate "I would rather say how wonderful my husband is. He has been so calm, so good and so quiet over it all,” she said. They had planned to go to the country for a week-end. “Now I really don't know.” she said

The "Daily Mail” said Mrs Butler was in tears as she said: "My husband would have made the best Prime Minister in the world. I know he would. I am so very upset, I suppose it shows.”