League of Empire Loyalists - Stunts

Stunts

They were well known for various stunts at Conservative Party meetings and conferences (acting as a constant irritant to the party). These stunts included hiding underneath the speaker platform overnight to emerge during the conference in order to put across their points. At the 1958 party Conference in Blackpool, George Irvine Finlay (who became Director of Organisation for the Scottish Conservatives) was involved in forcibly removing members of the League of Empire Loyalists. The widespread media coverage resulted in his being sued for assault; not only was he acquitted but costs were awarded against the prosecution. That same year the League secured further publicity when members launched an "invasion" of the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion.

Another incident saw LEL member Austen Brooks manage to gain access to a lunch for U Thant by impersonating Makarios III, both men being heavily bearded, before revealing his charade and shouting LEL slogans. Anthony Eden was also a target and when he shook hands with Nikita Khrushchev and Nikolai Bulganin as they arrived at Victoria Station in 1956 LEL members were on hand to yell at Eden that he had just shaken hands with murderers. In November 1961 Wing-Commander Leonard Young gained further notoriety for the LEL when he threw a bag of sheep guts at President of Kenya Jomo Kenyata. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was also a target with speakers at its inaugural rally in Central Hall, Westminster, on 17 February 1958 being heckled, in particular Michael Foot. After these antics the Tory leadership made it clear to their members that the LEL was to be discouraged, leading to a severe downturn in membership.