(from Briefing)
Coates case suppressed? Coates case to be discussed? Yesterday morning Conference Chairman Walter Padley gave an assurance that the Nottingham case would be discussed later. Delegate Fred Lindop, who went up to ask about the matter, said before he reached the rostrum "I want to ask about the question of expulsions and discipline." "This matter", said Walter Padley, an old ILP rebel who knows all about problems of. discipline, "can be raised another time." Unfortunately, powerful forces are pressuring in the opposite direction. Miss Sara Barker, chief watchdog over disciplinary matters, has written once aginn to Ken Coates to inform him that the NEC wish to refuse him a hearing. Who is right, conference Chairman, or Miss Barker? Very many people are watching to see that justice is done is this matter, As the New Statesman said last Friday, "When delegates applaud bold declarations on the party's sense of justice and tradition of tolerance, let Ken Coates' name be remembered....His case will be raised at Brighton. Without supporting all his views, delegates might well feel that there are grounds for reconsideration.