Winston Churchill’s suit for libel against Sir Alfred Douglas at the Old Bailley yesterday assumed the appearance as if Churchill and not Douglas were the defendent. The former Lord of the Admiralty and Colonial Secretary was subjected to a grilling cross-examination lasting six hours. Cecil Hayes, Counsel for Lord Douglas, kept Mr. Churchill on the witness stand under a constant fire of questions involving the plaintiff’s entire career.
It seems to be the object of Mr. Hayes to throw into the shade many of Mr. Churchill’s public and private dealings while representing Sir Ernest Cassel, the great Jewish financier and friend of King Edward as an unrepetent German.
The counsel for Lord Douglas who had alleged that Mr. Churchill made a profit of 40,000 out of a transaction Sir Ernst Cassel was able to make following the adverse reports on the battle of Jutland, tried to establish that Mr. Churchill was unduly indebted to the late Jewish financier.
Mr. Hayes turned to Mr. Churchill’s relations with Sir Ernest Cassel, and particularly to a roomful of furniture Sir Ernest had given him.
“Was the furniture inside the door!”
“Yes, inside and right round the room,” Mr. Churchill answered. “That is a very important point”.
Sir Ernest, though German-born, was trusted by all the Cabinet, said the witness.
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