IN DEFENCE OF HIMSELF

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 364, 19 February 1937, Page 5

IN DEFENCE OF HIMSELF

EX-KING’S FRIEND. LORD BROWNLOW. Archbishop’s Broadcast Damaging Influence. Press Association —Copyright. London, Feb. 18. Lord Brownlow, who accompanied Mrs’. Simpson to Cannes in December, in a speech at Lincoln revealed that after the Archbishop of Canterbury’s broadcast, in which he referred to King Edward’s “social circle,” he visited the primate and protested. “I told him some of his statements might be taken to refer to me,” said Lord Brownlow. “The archbishop said that although he could not withdraw the statements publicly he did not intend to refer to me or to pain me in any way.”

Lord Brownlow, who Was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire during King Edward’s reign, said he had been told a damaging misunderstanding had arisen regarding the appointment, which was doing him no good. There was apparently an impression that lord-lieutenants were appointed by the King and might be liable to the influence of the Court people and officials, whereas.' lordlieutenants had never been appointed by the Sovereign during the past 100 years.

“Within a few months my appointment became involved in public events of great difficulty, misfortune and sorrow,” he added. ‘‘Now foolish, ill-informed gostip is undermining my position. It is therefore only right to put the facts forward. My duties require no explanation. I do not -intend to justify them or apologise for them. It is not necessary. If I have any critics I would suggest they search their own conscience and Inquire into their own standards of life and friendship.”