07 May 1920

Rowdy scenes at the National Liberal Federation meeting in Leamington Spa

The meeting was debating a resolution opposing continuance of the coalition government. Several members of the government were in attendance and when they attempted to defend their position they were constantly heckled. Matters came to a head when a junior minister, F. G. Kellaway asserted ‘I was fighting the Liberal cause when some of those who are making these interruptions were taking refuge in a tabernacle to assassinate Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman.’ Pandemonium broke out and continued until the Attorney-General, Sir Gordon Hewart, led a walk out of Coalition Liberal MPs and delegates amid shouts of derision.