John Stonehouse was a Walter Mitty figure and the bizarre elements of his life, as soon as again depicted and boosted in a new television drama, ought to not obscure his genuine commitment to colonial liberty and other less than popular political issues (Stonehouse story even more fascinating than TV drama recommends, relative says, 3 January).
Both sides of his personality were displayed on a mission to Bangladesh in January 1972 that we were both members of, together with a great political fixer , the late Donald Chesworth.
We were charged with investigating atrocities by the Pakistan army in the Bangladesh civil war.
Stonehouse was a real and dedicated supporter of Bangladeshi self-reliance, but he tried to ride on his contacts with the provisional government to acquire a contract for the production and supply of postage stamps for the brand-new country.Also, he would make time to pursue individual financial offers on the area by recommending to Chesworth and me that we can cover more ground if we follow separate examinations .
While in Dhaka, Stonehouse became disappointed with the lack of initiative by British diplomats in befriending the provisional government, unlike different communist programs.
He for that reason hosted a big reception for the brand-new government ministers, the media and heads of diplomatic missions in the just large hotel-- and sent out the bill to the UK government.When the news of his apparent disappearance appeared in the media, Chesworth and I never ever believed it-- not least since Sheila Buckley, his long-serving secretary and mistress (and later wife), remained peaceful around Westminster.Michael MeadowcroftLeeds The House of Commons library, in which I worked for many years, has a book in which MPs can make written requests for books to be bought for its stock.
One such demand, in the early 1960s, is from John Stonehouse MP.
This was for Nevil Shutes novel On the Beach.
Even more odd as the library does not equip fiction.Rob ClementsFlowton, Suffolk.
This short article very first appeared/also appeared in theguardian.com