George Wigg, Baron Wigg
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George Edward Cecil Wigg, Baron Wigg PC (November 28, 1900 – August 11, 1983) was a British politician who only served in relatively junior offices but had a great deal of influence behind the scenes, especially with Harold Wilson. Wigg served in the British Army for almost all his career up to his election as Member of Parliament for Dudley in 1945. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Emanuel Shinwell during the Attlee government.
According to veteran Press Association reporter Chris Moncrieff, Wigg was unpopular with Labour MPs [1] but managed to use procedure to place the Profumo affair on the record in Parliament and led the pursuit of Profumo which ultimately resulted in the latter's resignation. Wigg also played an important part in the aftermath of the failed prosecution of suspected serial killer John Bodkin Adams by questioning in Parliament the unusual conduct of the Prosecution led by Attorney-General, Reginald Manningham-Buller.[1]
Wigg was already known for passing on gossip to Labour leader Harold Wilson, and when Labour won the 1964 election Wilson appointed Wigg as Paymaster-General. This was a cover as his real responsibilities were many and varied. He was Wilson's link to the Security Service and the Secret Intelligence Service. In November 1967, he was appointed Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board (Wigg loved horse racing) and left Parliament with a life peerage as Baron Wigg, of the Borough of Dudley.
He had been made a Privy Councillor in 1964.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Cullen, Pamela V., "A Stranger in Blood: The Case Files on Dr John Bodkin Adams", London, Elliott & Thompson, 2006, ISBN 1-904027-19-9
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Cyril Lloyd |
Member of Parliament for Dudley 1945–1967 |
Succeeded by Donald Williams |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by John Boyd-Carpenter |
Paymaster-General 1964–1967 |
Vacant
Title next held by
Lord Shackleton |
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