Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant'
22nd May 2012, 15:33
The Cricket Council reversed a decision to allow South African cricketers to tour England this summer.
The move followed strong pressure from the Home Secretary, James Callaghan.
After a 90-minute meeting at Lord's Cricket Ground with other members of the council, its secretary SC Griffith said in a statement there had been a "formal request from Her Majesty's Government to withdraw the invitation to the South African touring team".
"With deep regret the council were of the opinion that they had no alternative but to accede to this request and they are informing the South African Cricket Association accordingly." England would play five matches against a Rest of the World team instead.
In 2001, secret government documents published under the 30-Year Rule revealed that Peter Hain - then a Minister for Europe in a Labour government - had been under surveillance in 1970.
Harold Wilson's government had even considered charging him with seditious conspiracy for threatening to disrupt the proposed cricket tour.
(Source - BBC History)
The move followed strong pressure from the Home Secretary, James Callaghan.
After a 90-minute meeting at Lord's Cricket Ground with other members of the council, its secretary SC Griffith said in a statement there had been a "formal request from Her Majesty's Government to withdraw the invitation to the South African touring team".
"With deep regret the council were of the opinion that they had no alternative but to accede to this request and they are informing the South African Cricket Association accordingly." England would play five matches against a Rest of the World team instead.
In 2001, secret government documents published under the 30-Year Rule revealed that Peter Hain - then a Minister for Europe in a Labour government - had been under surveillance in 1970.
Harold Wilson's government had even considered charging him with seditious conspiracy for threatening to disrupt the proposed cricket tour.
(Source - BBC History)