M.P.’S FACE SLAPPED

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 163, 6 April 1938, Page 11

M.P.’S FACE SLAPPED

Turmoil In House Of Commons PROVOCATIVE RETORT London, April 4. The House of Commons was thrown into turmoil at question time to-day when Lieut.-Commander R. T. Bower (Conservative), a British naval officer and a former boxing champion, had his face slapped by Mr. E. Shinwell (Labour), following a retort by Lieut.Commander Bower to a question on foreign affairs. The Speaker had to intervene to prevent Mr. Shinwell asking a supplementary question.

Mr. Shinweirs persistence caused Government supporters to protest. Lieut.-Commander Bower’s remark, “Go back to Poland,” was addressed to Mr. Shinwell, and resulted in Mr. Shinwell crossing the Chamber and giving Lieut.-Commander Bower, who is one of the biggest men in the House, a resounding slap in .the face- J Mr. Shinwell returned to his seat and said: “I was born in England. I am a British subject. The honourable gentleman had no right to make such a reference. My method was the only protection open to me.” The Speaker said he would ignore the incident if each apologised. - Mr. Shinwell, attributing his action to heat of temper, apologised to the House and left the Chamber, whereupon Lieut.-Commander Bower admitted the provocativeness of his remark and said he would have apologised if Mr. Shinwell had remained in the House. The incident then closed.