DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST MOSLEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 24 November 1943, Page 2

DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST MOSLEY

CROWDS OUTSIDE HOUSE OF COMMONS MARCH DOWN STRAND (Rec. 11.10 a.m.) London, Nov. 23. While the Home Secretary, Mr Herbert Morrison, was explaining the Mosleys’ release in the House of Commons, angry scenes developed in the central lobby to which about o 0 men and women were admitted to interview members of the House of Commons. Scenes lasted for about two hours. Cards were sjnt in asking members of all parties to come out and the moment a member appeared he was surrounded by a gesticulating crowd of men and girls who demanded to know what they were working in war factories for and why their husbands were fighting if the ex-leader of British Fascists was to be released. Extra police were on duty but it sometimes looked as though the demonstrators might get out of hand. One tall Conservative member became involved in a fierce argument with about 40 indignant people. Other Commoners and demonstrators nearly came to blows which were just avoided. One woman carried a petition ten feet long bearing 3000 signatures collected in several districts in central London.

Mr Morrison did not come out into the lobby but other Ministers stood watching the scene. The crowd later marched from the House of Commons and reported to a gathering of hundreds who held a demonstration in Parliament Square outside the House of Commons. Mounted police at one stage advanced against the crowd amid booes and catcalls. Meanwhile an M.P., Mr Haden Guest, reported to a section of the demonstrators on Mr Morrison’s statement. Mr Guest said the statement was thoroughly unsatisfactory and added: “I don’t see why Mosley was released on medical grounds because he could gqt all the medical treatment inside Holloway. I understand Mosley occupied a four-roomed centrally-heat-ed flat. The idea that he cannot get medical treatment there is poppycock.”

By II a.m. at least 1000 demonstrators representing about 20,000 workers from all parts of the country gathered outside Parliament with more delegates continually arriving. The demonstrators marched with banners, some shouting. “We want Mosley.” As one delegate hoisted a red banner bearing the words “Gaol Mosley” the whole crowd burst into cheers. Another banner read, “Mosley in, Morrison out.”

The demonstrations continued in the Whitehall area all day. Several columns finally marched down the Strand carrying banners and* shouting “Put Mosley back into gaol!” The demonstrators entered Fleet Street where deputations waited on newspapers and news agencies.