PAYING BACK LIBERAL PARTY'S FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1914, Page 7

PAYING BACK LIBERAL PARTY'S FUNDS

LORD MURRAY'S TRUSTEESHIP MAKING GOOD THE AMOUNT LOST. (By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright.) (Received N March 27, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON, 26th- March. Before the House of Lords Committee of Enquiry into Lord Murray of Elibank's dealings with the Liberal Party's funds and Marconi shares, Lord Murray, in his evidence, said he had commenced icf make good the amount the Liberal Paity lost through his trusteeship. He had repaid the loss over the Marconi shares. It' would probably take several years to repay the other £38,000, but the Liberal Party would get it. He could not defend his attitude in connection with Fenner ithe stockbroker who conducted the negotiations). But he did not proceed against Fenner in the hope of ultimately getting some money back. His accusers have withdrawn the allegation that Lord Murray used his influence as Chief Whip to get the Marconi contract settled without discussion in the House of Commons. [Mr. Charles Edward Fenner (who is at present in Paris awaiting extradition) was head of the Stock Exchange tirm of H. L. de Montmorency and Co., of 2. White Lion-court, Comhill, E.C., which failed some months ago, and %vhose affairs were the subject of proceedings in bankruptcy. He acted as broker for the Liberal Party Whips in regard to the investment of the party funds, and his name was frequently mentioned during the investigations of the Marconi Committee. After Mr. Fenner disappeared, serious allegations were made concerning his methods of dealing with his clients' money and securities, and in particular it was asserted that among the matters not accounted for were some thousands of pounds belonging to the Liberal Party, which had been placed in his hands for investment. There are no Extradition Court proceedings in France similar to those in use in British countries. The > question is one of administration, and if the authorities are cbnvinced that sufficient prima facie evidence exists, they simply hand the prisoner over to the foreign police by whom he is claimed. Though Fenner was arrested as far back aa 12th February, apparently the administration is not yet satisfied with the case presented by the English authorities.]