Dowager, 80, accused of stirring up racial hatred

THE 80-year-old Dowager Lady Jane Birdwood went on trial at the Old Bailey yesterday accused of stirring up racial hatred by possessing and distributing 'threatening, abusive and insulting material'.

The charges relate to an anti-Jewish booklet, The Longest Hatred. She admitted to police that she had edited it, written the foreword, and arranged publication and distribution. When police searched her home in East Vale, Acton, west London, in November 1992, they found 153 copies.

The pamphlet alleges a conspiracy by Jewish bankers to undermine society by the manipulation and control of financial institutions. She sent copies to all members of parliament and MEPs, and all those on the Church of England's yearbook list, Anthony Longden for the prosecution said.

Lady Birdwood admitted distributing the book despite a warning letter from police saying she faced prosecution unless she stopped.

One MP, Geoffrey Finsberg, told the jury he found the pamphlet 'so evil' he referred it to the Attorney General. Lord Finsberg, the former MP for Hampstead and Highgate, said he received the booklet in the post. It was so offensive he did not even think of throwing it in the bin but thought it should be seen by the authorities.

The pamphlet claimed the Talmud - Jewish law - contained blasphemies against Jesus Christ, and accused Jews of influencing the media and being responsible for large-scale immigration.

The trial continues today.

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