Trinidad Blocking A Constantine Peerage

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 13

Trinidad Blocking A Constantine Peerage

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, May 15.

A bid to make Sir Learie Constantine Britain’s first coloured peer has caused a rumpus, the “Daily Mirror” reports. The move to honour the former West Indian test cricketer is being hindered by his own Government, the newspaper says.

A report, published in the West Indies, says the British Labour Leader, Mr Harold Wilson, advised the Queen to make Sir Learie Constantine, who is aged 63, a life peer last November. Sir Learie was then High Commissioner in London for Trinidad and Tobago. Mr Wilson’s recommendation was backed by the Conservative Party. But, the West Indies report goes on, when a citizen of an independent Commonwealth country is recommended for an honour the approval of his Prime Minister and Government must be sought. Apparently the Prime Minister (Dr. Eric Williams) and his Trinidad Government had withheld that approval.

This meant that to take a seat in the House of Lords, Sir Learie Constantine would have to give up his West Indian nationality. According to the West Indian report, he has been struggling to make this agonising decision for four months. As champion of West Indian and other coloured immigrants to Britain, accepting the peerage would enable him to speak up for them in the Lords.

But to do so, it would seem he must cease to be a West Indian. The “Daily Mirror” said that even if a way was found round the problem,

there would not appear to be time for Sir Learie Constantine’s name to appear in the honours list next month. At his London home last night, Sir Learie Constantine refused to comment on the reports.