'We thought we might have a big, international criminal on our hands,' said one senior officer later. He was travelling with Jim Charlton, the deputy chairman of his trade and export company, Global Imex. In court, Stonehouse had tried to mount a defence that he'd been in the throes of a mental breakdown and had taken on the alter ego of his dead constituent, even convincing psychiatrists of his split personality. Stonehouse recounted the outrageously true story of high-flying Labour MP John Stonehouse (played by Matthew Macfadyen), who attempted to make a fresh start after seemingly drowning off a beach in Miami back in 1974. The author has previously offered insight into how her sister felt about their fathers affair with Sheila after they found out the truth. When Labour lost the General Election in 1970, he was not offered a Shadow Cabinet job, nor a place in Harold Wilson's government during the hung parliament in 1974. Stonehouse is known for its bombed-out attempt to fake its own demise in 1974, which was discovered following gossip that Stonehouse was the last missing murder suspect, Lord Lucan. At no time did he use 'I', just 'he' or 'him'. Just a few days beforehand he'd phoned her from America and said something that had troubled her. Through his own careless behaviour he had managed to raise the alarm within only 48 hours of his arrival. He had a son named James William John with Sheila in December 1982. John Stonehouse, pictured in August 1975, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to seven years in prison for fraud, theft and deception. Short on cash but looking to bankroll the lavish lifestyle of an ambitious politician, he developed a relationship with the Czech StB, or secret service, write Hayes. He left behind a tidy mound of garments. But why is everyone so enthusiastic about this series, and who was Sheila Buckley? 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John is widely remembered for his unsuccessful attempt at faking his death in 1974, leaving a pile of clothes in Miami Beach to make it appear he had drowned or been eaten by a shark. Stonehouse used a new alias after faking his own death, but his ruse only lasted a. Life forced Stonehouseinto harsh situations and required him to do unnecessary things. Thats why Im quite certain that a honeytrap was never on the agenda, he said. She stood by Stonehouse during his incarceration and stayed with him till his passing. Hayes is also one of the contributors featured in the ITV documentary The Real Stonehouse, alongside many others including Edwina Currie and Harold Wilsons Private Secretary Robin Butler. His problems had begun in 1969, when he was accused by a defector from the Czech secret service of being a spy, because of his constituency and ministerial links with the country. A documentary, The Real Stonehouse, is on ITV1 at 9pm on 5 January, Stonehouse review Matthew Macfadyen is a brilliantly bad baddie in this fun, death-faking romp, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Before being freed on parole in August 1975 and making a statement in the House of Commons in which he claimed a psychotic breakdown was to blame for his pretend death, Stonehouse continued to serve as a parliamentarian for Walsall North while incarcerated along with his wife. After a heap of his garments was abandoned on Miami Beach, the government and press assumed the 49-year-old congressman who was committed to his family had perished at sea. The new ITV drama, Stonehouse, is telling the story of one of the UKs most intriguing political scandals. He could walk down the street, go for a meal and conduct business without people having any opinion, good or bad, about him. It says its based on a true story, and thats really as far as it goes. He'd also concealed from her the fact that for five years he'd been having an affair with his secretary, Sheila Buckley, who at 28 was more than two decades younger than him. A documentary about the real John Stonehouse is set to air on ITV1 in the UK after the final episode. John Stonehouse MP faked his own death - and his family can't agree on the truth As the MP who faked his own death in 1974 comes to the small screen as an ITV drama, his relations are still at. When Msr Stonehouse threatened to leave her husband if Ms Buckley stayed, he threatened to kill himself, then collapsed into Sheila's arms and his wife realised he had made his choice, according to Hayes. All Rights Reserved. My mother told Sheila he'd had several affairs but always came back to her, adding: 'If he reappears, you're welcome to him. But it doesnt stand up to scrutiny and it certainly wasnt believed by the jury in his trial.. Sheila left the car. John Stonehouse, pictured in August 1975, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to seven years in prison for fraud, theft and deception. . After satisfying themselves that he was, in fact, John Stonehouse MP, the hospital gave him about five names. Shiela and John had been having an illicit affair for five years before his scuppered plans to fake his death. With each setback in his life, each anxiety attack or bout of depression, he popped another Mandrax or Mogadon into his mouth, becoming ever more paranoid in the process. But what happened to Stonehouses second wife, and where is she now? Sheila Buckley now: What happened to John Stonehouse's second wife portrayed by Emer Heatley in ITV drama,Stonehouse was once seen as one the the party's most promising prospects, but his career ended in bizarre fashion when he faked his own death in 1974 The more those people became real to him, the more Mr Stonehouse yearned to be one of them. My mother felt sick. Stonehouse was a controlling person, Townley added. To support herself after having lost Stonehouse, who has been over two decades older than her, it is said that she is an avid gardener and was employed as an auditor and bookkeeper. This wasn't the behaviour of an arch criminal. By Patrick Hollis. Born in 1925, John Stonehouse was active in the co-operative movement and a longtime anti-colonial campaigner who was elected as a Labour MP in 1957. My father's bathroom cabinet was full of bottles of Mandrax, a drug then widely prescribed for insomnia and anxiety but now banned for more than 30 years because of its negative impact on mental health. My parents, John and Barbara Stonehouse, celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary at their favourite restaurant in London on the evening of November 13, 1974. 'At one stage, we thought it might have been Lord Lucan.'. Barbara was left deeply upset by the admission but also told Sheila how John had had many affairs in the past. Although never proved, the accusations threw a dark cloak of suspicion round him. The three-part drama, which stars Matthew Macfadyen in the titular role, tells the story of disgraced Labour minister John Stonehouse, who attempted to fake his own death in 1974. It's not known how much tension, if any, there was between the two women. On telling a story about the lives of real people, he said: "I never wanted to judge Stonehouse or hold him up to ridicule or anything like that. My father said nothing. She was young, attractive, and she clearly loved him very much.. A lot of sinister mysteries are hidden under her invisible reputation. Sheila Buckley, in Australia. All About The Stonehouse Scandal Revealed. The allegation was levelled after the MP made a series of visits to the country, which was then part of the Soviet Eastern Bloc, but he defended himself and remained in office. The couple were married for over 30 years and shared three children until John decided to fake his death and start a new life with his secretary Sheila Buckley in Australia. They said a girl lived there, and read out some names. After he was caught, he phoned his wife to inform her that he was still alive. She was an attractive brunette who gave in to John Stonehouse, who she knew wasa married party member. Later that afternoon my father was allowed to make a call to my mother. Unforgotten can survive without Nicola Walker, Sanjeev Bhaskar on the return of Unforgotten, Banning actors like Emma Corrin from working-class roles won't fix acting's posh problem, Do not sell or share my personal information. Its a classic case of truth being stranger than fiction.. ' he wrote. John Stonehouse's mistress Sheila Buckley is pictured today (left) some 47 years after she was at the centre of the rogue MP's spectacular downfall when he faked his own death. He asked her to write to him at the Bank of New Zealand under one of his new identities. Stonehouse writer John Preston has revealed the real-life Barbara and Sheila's reaction to the ITV drama, Stonehouse star Matthew Macfadyen reveals concerns ahead of working with wife Keeley Hawes, Stonehouse viewers saying same thing about Matthew Macfadyen drama, Everything you need to know about Keeley Hawes and Matthew Macfadyen's relationship. They had him drop his pants to check for a recognizable Lord Lucans characteristic scar along his upper thigh put an end to this confusion, to which the congressman obliged to avoid public attention. Stonehouse was eventually arrested in Melbourne and deported back to the UK, where he remained a Labour MP because the party did not expel him, owing to their narrow majority in the House of . He said he was contacting her because he had a motion going through the Commons about the children of one-parent families, and explained that he had some questions to ask her about her husband. Heres a look at his family and what happened to his four children following his scuppered plans to fake his death and start a new life in Australia. You can know what transpired to the actual John Stonehouse when the defunct Labour MP abandoned his devoted spouse for a mistress and staged his demise during this weeks episode of the ITV series Stonehouse. He now had seven accounts at four banks. They stayed together until Stonehouses death from a major heart attack. We will now learn more about what happened to Sheila Buckley. In the center of this photograph from a nearby Hampshire market town stands Sheila Buckley, an obscure woman who once scandalized British politics by dating John Stonehouse, a Communist traitor turned MP. Ms Buckley worked as Stonehouses parliamentary secretary while he was an MP. What happened to John Stonehouse's children? Wednesday, 1st March 2023See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. She concluded: My father taught me something invaluable: that the world can be changed if people talk enough and work enough together. His wife Sheila said he collapsed at their home, and ambulance attendants weren't able to revive him. DON'T MISSGB News uproar over claims Meghan and Harry milking Dianas legacy[VIEWER REACTION]Ruth Langsford shares Eamonn Holmes bedroom confession[UPDATE]Lorraine Kelly shut down by rail boss over strike 'celebrity' probe'[VIDEO]. More info. In one of the most astonishing scandals in British history, former Postmaster General Stonehouse went on the run when a string of crooked business deals finally caught up with him. It's unbelievable to us, the family, that my father should do something as cold-hearted as having a conversation with two widows with a view to adopting their husbands' names. Financial worries, too, were piling up. ITV drama Stonehouse wrapped up yesterday (January 4) with the finale of the three-parter hitting screens. James Swaider. Emer Heatley (Showtrial) - Plays Sheila Buckley. Stonehouse was released from prison in 1979 and two years later married his mistress, Sheila Buckley, who gave birth to their son the following year. Unknown to him, eight police officers were taking it in turns to follow him, and intercepting his letters from Sheila. Julia also said how she wished her father had never been caught in Melbourne, Australia and believed had his plans worked out he might still be alive today. The tale will be told in three episodes and features many familiar faces. Her auburn locks have been replaced by grey and there is little hint of the sparkle in the green eyes that once captivated Stonehouse, the subject of two new biographies, who, despite being 21 years her senior, embarked on a torrid affair with her when she was working as his parliamentary secretary in the 1970s. Again, the rumours were utterly unfounded. He was then extradited to Britain, all the while continuing to serve as one of Parliament's most colourful members. Stonehouse was accused of being a spy for Czechoslovakia in 1969 by Josef Frolk, a defector from the Czech secret services. So poor Sheila Buckley is thrust into the spotlight without her consent. But shortly afterwards, rumours began swirling that the fund had once topped 1 million, and that approximately 600,000 was missing. READ MORE:The true story behind ITV's Stonehouse and MP who faked his own death. After he failed to return, he was presumed drowned, leaving a wife and three children. Like this story? Julia Stonehouse For The Mail On Sunday 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. . Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes and Emer Heatley. The talented artist has worked on stage dramas and treaters for a long while and is now stepping her foot into on-screen acting projects. But the net was closing in. Sheila Buckley. WATCH:Keeley Hawes reveals what it was like to work with husband Matthew Macfadyen on Stonehouse. Little did she know that this was exactly what he'd planned to do. READ MORE:The true story behind ITV's Stonehouse and MP who faked his own death. Many times he'd respond to the call of his false name and go to various desks to collect the new paperwork. The ITV show stars the real-life married couple Matthew Macfadyen as Stonehouse and Keeley Hawes as Barbara, who was married to the disgraced Labour MP and former cabinet minister at the time of his disappearance. Barbara asked if she'd been having an affair with my father and Sheila broke down in sobs, saying 'Oh dear, oh dear' over and over again with mascara running down her cheeks. The writer has also vigorously defended him after he was suspected of being a spy. Anybody on any of his numerous flights could have recognised him. But people believed his new personas, and he began to enjoy the feeling. But he provided the Czechs with information and got a lot of money from them. The former parliamentary secretary is now in her eighties and currently lives in Romsey, Hampshire. Morgan Phillips And Tahira Yaqoob For Mailonline, Ministers for monstrous deception: A senior Labour MP who was mired in debt, spying for the Czechs, juggling loyal wife and lovers and faked his own drowningthe story of John Stonehouse told by his great-nephew, It's your mistress or me. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Only later would she find out that 'it' meant his whole life. The partner of imprisoned MP John Stonehouse, Sheila Buckley discusses Stonehouse's declining health after he was declined parole. John married his mistress, Sheila Elizabeth Buckley, in Hampshire on January 31, 1981. However, in The Defence of the Realm: The Authorised History of MI5, Professor Christopher Andrew describes Stonehouse as the only British politician (so far as is known) to have acted as a foreign agent while holding ministerial office. On behalf of my father, I apologise to the Markham and Mildoon families and hope they can accept that this bizarre behaviour was only brought about by terrible stress and the effects of mind-twisting prescribed drugs. When the former politician was released in 1980, the couple married a year later and had a son, James William John. Also Read: How To Watch Stonehouse Episodes? We saw the utter amazement on her face and heard her say: Daddy, Daddy, is it really you?. Morgan Phillips And Tahira Yaqoob For Mailonline Six days later, on November 19, my father flew to Miami. Upon his release, he married Buckley, and the couple were together until he died in 1988. 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On 20 November 1974, he rolled his clothes into a bundle, left them on a beach in Miami to go for a swim, and then vanished. Your email address will not be published. The reporter mentioned a number of names including Sheila, whom Barbara and the family had known well because she was Johns secretary. Hayes, a criminal defence lawyer, said he'd approached the spying accusations with the mindset that his great uncle was innocent of spying until proven guilty. This three-part series . At the time she thought he meant he couldn't take any more of the stress of endlessly travelling the globe trying to set up business deals. Keeley Hawes and Matthew Macfadyen play Barbara and John Stonehouse, with Emer Heatley as Johns lover, Sheila Buckley, in ITVs Stonehouse. He caught a taxi into the city and asked the driver to take him to a good hotel. Benim Adm Farah Episode 1: Release Date, Preview & Where To Watch. 'Julia is understandably very defensive, she gets very angry at the suggestion her father was ever a spy', Hayes told MailOnline. It seemed as if luck was on Mr Markham's side. Early on the morning of Wednesday, December 4, he phoned Sheila. 'I can't take it any more,' he'd told her. 'It would be politically very embarrassing for government to go ahead with the prosecution,' Hayes said, adding that there weren't enough witnesses willing to come forward for a trial. After disappearing in Florida, the dishonest politician, who was in financial distress, reappeared in Australia, where he freed himself from his former family and his financial obligations. The former Labour cabinet minister faked his own death and was jailed for seven years for fraud, but his loyal secretary-turned-wife Sheila Buckley stood by him to the end. 2 de January de 2023 by Jesus Torres. Oblivious to all this, Mr Markham bought a ticket to Copenhagen. As the Czech defector had also not provided any evidence to back up his claim, he said, they should let the matter rest. Stonehouses daughter Julia maintains that right-wing elements within MI5 made sure the rumour was spread to the press and politicians. It was an incredible act for a former government. Sheila lived in Abbey Wood. Two days later, while my mother was trying to contact her, Sheila arrived at Copenhagen airport to find my father sitting in the arrivals lounge looking pale, thin and nervous. She is known as the wife of John Stonehouse and served in Prime Minister Harold Wilson's cabinet as a member of the British Labour and co-operative Parties. After all he suffered, he is at peace. But why is everyone so enthusiastic about this series, and who was Sheila Buckley? Sheila Buckley, an inconspicuous woman who once scandalized British politics by dating John Stonehouse, a Communist traitor turned MP, is shown in the center of this image from a small market villa News Phobia @NewsPhobia1 Jan 3 He knew pilots, airport staff and airline executives. The ITV drama isnt the only thing to have attracted criticism from the family, Johns great-nephew Julian Hayes wrote his own book Stonehouse: Cabinet Minister, Fraudster, Spy. By Here's a plot recap for the first episode, which premiered on ITV1 at 9pm on Monday 2nd January 2023: Miami, 1974. He knew what he was doing., Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning, Hayes said he pored over detailed files in Czech archives while researching his biography. Sheila Buckley, the secretary and mistress, later wife of John Stonehouse, circa 1980 Credit: Keystone His reappearance was to prove a mixed blessing for Harold Wilson. After her bosses had to rotin the prisons the night, Buckley appeared at Bow Street Judges Courthouse. Sheila Buckley, former secretary to British MP John Stonehouse, outside the Horseferry Road Magistrates' Court, London, 1976. For months he went round London alone, pretending to be Mr Markham or Mr Mildoon: into numerous banks, embassies and government agencies as he prepared for a new life in Australia. Stonehouse died of a heart attack aged 62 on April 14, 1988, in Southampton. Buckley has rarely spoken about that relationship but did talk briefly about his declining health in 1978 after the politician experienced a series of heart attacks while in prison. Who Was Sheila Buckley And How She Connected To The Stonehouse Scandal? But they would cast aspersions on his integrity for the rest of his life. Stonehouse was found guilty of fraud and forgery amongst other things, after faking his own death in order to start a new life with Buckley. When he was a parliamentarian, Sheila forged a partnership with him. Dorothy Atkinson ( All Creatures Great and Small) - Plays Betty Boothroyd. It was no secret that my then 49-year-old father had been under intense emotional pressure in the years before his dramatic disappearance. Moreover, he'd already made basic, stupid mistakes in Australia. Stonehouse was captured by Australian police a little over a month following his disappearance after they originally confused him with Lord Lucan, a nobleman who had vanished 12 days before Stonehouse arrived in Australia after killing a nanny. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. She didn't know anything about it. In fact, Stonehouse had prepared the escape from his old life down to the tiniest detail, leaving a fake passport, money and luggage at a neighbouring hotel, and was on a flight to Australia before the alarm was raised. To pre-order a copy for 14.44, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193 before July 25. Julia has stated not only has she, her mother Barbara and her siblings had previously been hurt by the spy claims, but Sheila and her son too were left upset. Julia wrote: At 4am, Jane answered the phone. After stealing the identities of two deceased . His father, Stonehouses nephew and business partner, later gave evidence against him in court. Julia has also slammed the ITV drama, branding it disgusting and saying she and her mother - who now goes by Barbara Flexney-Briscoe - were furious. The Labour MP for Walsall North had been a high-flyer in Harold Wilson's government of 1964 but just years later found himself in financial ruin, in the midst of an extramarital affair and had been questioned by MI5 about spying for the Czech secret service. The upcoming three-parter, written by John Preston, explores John. He was also a regular user of. What she hadn't told my mother was that she knew my father was alive, and that he knew she thought she was pregnant because she'd just spent the weekend with him in Copenhagen. Speaking about the show at a press event for the series, John revealed that the two women didn't want "any involvement" in the drama. He left behind a tidy mound of garments. According to popular belief, Buckley was not simply in it for the moneyshe was actually in love with her boss. . 'Pressures became far too great. 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