BROWN UNDER FIRE FROM HIS PARTY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30302, 30 November 1963, Page 13

BROWN UNDER FIRE FROM HIS PARTY

Emotional TV Remarks On Kennedy Disliked

(N .Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, November 29.

Labour members of Parliament have criticised Mr George Brown, the deputy leader of the party, for a television interview he gave on the night of President Kennedy’s assassin* ation. They considered it unbefitting to his position and the occasion.

Mr Brown, who was reported to have had a “pretty tough” talk yesterday with the party’s leader, Mr Harold Wilson, last night made a “personal statement” to the party’s regular weekly private meeting at the House of Commons.

His statement was said by political writers to have lasted barely a minute but it was believed to have acknowledged that his broadcast was not all it might have been. Criticism was believed to have been levelled not at the content of Mr Brown’s television statement, but rather at his manner of delivering it. Labour members of Parliament were said to have considered it not befitting to either Mr Brown’s position or to the solemnity of the occasion. Mr Brown's statement to his party colleagues made front-page news in today's morning newspapers. The “Daily Sketch” reported: “He is understood to have explained that he was very tired last Friday night, and under severe emotional strain because of his personal liking for the President. “He said he had been to a dinner and did not want to appear on television that night when he was asked. “But he felt he had a duty to. He hoped his colleagues would understand. And he gave this pledge: ‘lt will not happen again’.” The “Daily Telegraph” said: “Many who saw the interview formed the impression that Mr Brown was tired and possibly overwrought. They thought his informal manner and expansive gestures unsuited to the solemnity of the moment.” The “Daily Express” said: “Many Labour members of Parliament and rank-and-file party members were dismayed by Mr Brown's highly colourful ai.d emotional performance on a solemn occasion.” In his television appearance Mr Brown talked about "a man who was a very good friend of mine.”

Mr Brown seemed to be “under the stress of deep emotion, and he gestured freely in making his points, ’’

the “Daily Express” said. The “Daily Express” quoted. Mr Brown as saying: “We understood what the world was about, and what the divisions between East and West were about. I think it is a terrible tragedy that he should have gone like this.” Mr Brown said he did not think American policy would change very much. “I also happen to know Lyndon. Lyndon Johnson is a very great man, you know. He is a very considerable fellow,” he said. The “Daily Mail” said Mi Wilson did not like Mr Brown’s television performance. Neither did many Labour members of Parliament watching in their homes. Nor did many constituency party workers. “All week protests about Mr Brown have been reaching Transport House (the Labour Party headquarters) and Mr Wilson from constituency parties and Labour members of Parliament," tire “Daily Mail” said.