LETTER : Harold Wilson: a practical, caring and unfailingly kind man
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Ms Diana Hamilton Fairley
Sir: On 23 October 1975, my father was murdered by the IRA. That evening Marcia Williams rang the house in which I, my two sisters and my brother were sheltering. She was ringing on behalf of Harold Wilson to ask if there was anything the Prime Minister could do to help us in our hour of need.
He could: our mother was in China on a tour and we had no way of contacting her, since China was very isolated at that time. Her address was in our windowless, damaged house. Mr Wilson arranged for Roy Jenkins, the then Home Secretary, to contact us. The police found the address in Shanghai and Mr Jenkins finally managed to track my mother down through the embassy in Peking, arranged her flights and brought her home in under 48 hours.
Mr Wilson's appreciation that, in a time of acute grief, practical help is even more important than kind words helped us more than I can say. Without him and Mr Jenkins it would probably have taken over a week for my mother to return, a situation that does not bear contemplation in a situation that was beyond understanding. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to a practical and caring politician and send my condolences to his family at this sad time.
Yours faithfully,
DIANA HAMILTON FAIRLEY
London, E1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments