Labour MP Manny Shinwell’s slap in the face for Conservative political opponent

Debates can sometimes sometimes get heated in the House of Commons, but rarely does it come to blows as it did when Labour MP Manny Shinwell slapped Conservative MP Robert Tatton Bower in 1938. Photograph: AP

Your article (The big fight, G2, 24 February) refers to the “idea of fisticuffs, or worse, to settle differences between political rivals”, mentions the Duke of Wellington’s duel in 1829, and says “We have not seen any such shenanigans since”. On 4 April 1938 in the House of Commons, the Jewish Labour MP Manny Shinwell heavily criticised Neville Chamberlain’s government for not supporting the Popular Front government in Spain during the civil war by its continuing membership of the non-intervention pact. The Tory MP Commander Robert Tatton Bower yelled at him: “Go back to Poland!” Shinwell, construing this as an antisemitic remark, crossed the floor and smacked Bower across the face. This action did not affect Shinwell’s career as he became secretary of state for war in 1947 and later minister for defence. Quite appropriate positions of office!
Dr Freddy Shaw
London

• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com