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Wish Youths Charged with Attempted Murder of Fascist Leader Are Freed in London

January 16, 1948
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Gerald Plemberg, and John Wimborne, who were charged ?th attempting to murder John Preen, a British fascist leader, were freed today when ?e case was thrown out of court after the presiding magistrate described Preen as witness I cannot believe upon his oath.”

On cross-examination by Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe, former Nuremberg prosecutor, ?o acted as counsel for the accused youths, Preen admitted that he had founded the ?itish Action Party and the Vigilantes Action League end was connected with the ?sci?t publication “Britain Awake.” However, he denied that these organizations and ?blications were anti-Semitic, declaring that they only attacked Jews who condoned ?e murder of British troops in Palestine. Flamberg end Winmborne are members of the ?3 Group,” an organization of Jewish exservicemen which has as its aim the curbing ? anti-Jewish agitation.

The Yorkshire Post, which is owned by Anthony Eden, carries an editorial today ?posing the establishment in Leeds of a branch of the “43 Group.” The editorial ?ays that activities of the group may endanger friendly relations between the Christian ?d Jewish population of Leeds.

An attempt to strengthen existing legislation in order to curb anti-Semitic agitation was made today by Laborite Hector Hughes, who introduced an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which would include among criminal offenses “acts intended ?o outrage the religious feelings of any class.” The amendment provides a prison ?erm not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding $400, or both, for violators.

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