James Lonsdale-Bryans
James Lonsdale-Bryans | |
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| File:James Lonsdale-Bryans.jpg | |
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| Nationality | British |
James Lonsdale-Bryans was a British amateur diplomat and Nazi sympathiser.
In 1940, Lonsdale-Bryans travelled to Italy to meet Ulrich von Hassal, the German ambassador to Italy. He believed von Hassal would be receptive to the idea of a pact between Britain and Germany at the outbreak of World War II. The terms of this pact were that Germany would have a free hand in Europe in return for Britain running the rest of the world.[3] However, he unsuccessfully attempted to arrange a meeting with both General Eisenhower and General Montgomery.[4]
Lonsdale-Bryans had the ear of several members of British Parliament, including Lord Halifax, but the level of support of said MPs is unknown. A handwritten note by the MI5 stated:
"He went to Italy with the knowledge of the Foreign Office in order to develop his contacts. He greatly exceeded his instructions."
MI5 decided against arresting him due to the possible support he was receiving from members of Parliament (which potentially included Neville Chamberlain), and the embarrassment this would have caused.[5] When Winston Churchill succeeded Chamberlain, he had Lord Halifax replaced and Lonsdale-Bryans's political influence disappeared along with the potential threat to British opposition to fascism.
External Links
References
- ^ National Archives: catalogue reference KV/2/2839 - Image 5
- ^ 1901 Census of Great Britain
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/30/wayward.diplomat.ap/index.html
- ^ National Archives: catalogue reference KV/2/2839 - Image 4
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7589251.stm BBC News
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