PROBLEM

tion against anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain, has been appointed a parliamentary counsel. At the same time Bennion has resigned as director of his self-styled organization, Freedom Under the Law.

says: 'Clearly I must avoid involvement in public controversy. Indeed, publicity of any kind is to be avoided in future so far as I am personally concerned. Within these limitations I shall do all can to continue the good work we have started.' He tract FRANCIS BENNION, the barrister who brought a private prosecuIn his new post he will be involved in drafting and piloting Tory legislation. Writing in the Freedom Under the Law journal, Bennion Francis Alan Roscoe Beni described in legal circles as a l the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Treasury.

In 1956, when still only 33, Bennion was sent to Pakistan to help draft the country's new constitution. Three years later he was loaned to Ghana to carry out the exacting legal transformation of Ghana into a republic.

Back in London in 1964 he became deputy counsel; he was considered next in line to be First Parliamentary Counsel to the Treasury. This post carries a knighthood and elevation to Queen's Counsel. But on the election of Labour, Bennion became uneasy and left the civil service to set up a private practice.

His main business was in the emerging black countries of Africa and the Caribbean. He helped frame legal straitjackets which the black bourgeoisie placed on the workers and peasants in these countries.

had a £10,000-a-year conwith the Jamaican governto advise on taxation.

Scab force

In 1970 Bennion started to show the first signs of his political ambitions. During the teachers' strike he organized a scab force known as the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT), whose members give a pledge not to strike.

He also made two attempts to win pre-selection for Tory seats. He got on the short list, but failed to get selected.

He came to nublic notorietv. however, when his private case against Peter Hain, chairman of the 'Stop the Tour' campaign.

After a series of legal Bennion/ succeeded in having Hain committed for trial at the ion, lawyer, writer and property developer, is rilliant constitutional lawyer'. In 1953 he joined Heath recruits Hain case Old Bailey. After a 21-day trial, Hain was convicted by a 10-2 majority verdict of conspiracy to disrupt the Davis Cup tennis match at Bristol in 1969 by running on to the court. He pleaded not guilty and was fined £200.

The success of this prosecution marked an important precedent in the use of conspiracy laws.

At the same time Bennion formed his Freedom Under the Law International (membership fee: £2.40). Item 18 modestly says the body will promote legislation in any part of the During this period Bennion began forging his links with the right-wing Monday Club. At its annual ball in 1971 he was guest along , with Enoch Powell. The National Front also joined in singing his praise.

He won favourable response from right-wing Tories and sections of the middle class when Whizz Francis Bennion I must avoid any controversy One function of the monitor 'subversive he took out a private action against the National Union of Mineworkers over the big strike early last year.

This case never got off the ground. In September last year organization "to fight subversion". Bennion launched 'Youth-Ful", The group's first magazine attacked dockers and other militant trade unionists for 'endangering basic liberties'.

group is and dis-