BELCHER DESCRIBED AS “A MAN WHO HAS LOST HIS INTEGRITY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 7

BELCHER DESCRIBED AS “A MAN WHO HAS LOST HIS INTEGRITY”

NZPA—Copy right LONDON, Dec. 16.

John Belcher, former Parliamentary Secretary to the Board, of Trade, was described as “ a man who has lost his integrity through association with an unscrupulous rogue” at the tribunal before Mr Justice Lynskey into allegations of bribery against Board of Trade officials and others.

Mr Edmund Davies, K.C., making his closing speech on behalf of Harry Sherman, football pools chief, spoke of “ the depth to which Belcher had sunk” because of his association with Sidney Stanley, the alien who has been the central figure in the 23-day-old inquiry. Mr Davies said Belcher had told other Government officials of allegations of corruption against them and himself, yet he had actually laughed it off. A corruption of moral standards, at least, had been quite clearly established.

Mr Davies said Stanley was a complete liar His allegation that Sherman habitually carried £20,000 or £30,000 in £1 notes was outrageous. Holding up a letter from someone in Chester. Mr Davies said that the writer had taken the trouble to weigh £30,000 in £1 notes, and the weight was 671 bi

. Counsel for other witnesses before the tribunal also addressed it.