On This Day

20 June 1892

Birth of Barnett Janner, Baron Janner, Liberal MP for Whitechapel 1931-35

Born in Lithuania, Janner was a solicitor and became prominent in Jewish affairs being elected to the Board of Deputies of British Jews in 1926 and an executive member of the Zionist Federation. He stood unsuccessfully as a Liberal in Cardiff and London before being elected Liberal MP for Whitechapel in 1931. He lost in 1935 and defected to Labour, serving as Labour MP for Leicester West, later Leicester North West from 1945-70 when he retired and was succeeded by his son Greville Janner.