An Editor On Trial: Rex V. Caunt, Alleged Seditious Libel - Jewish Atrocities In Palestine Morecambe Press

An Editor on Trial: Rex V. Caunt, Alleged Seditious Libel. Morecambe Press, Lancashire, 62pp., illus. The most sensational episode in the The Visitor, a weekly paid-for newspaper published in Morecambe, Lancashire, history occurred with the edition of 6 August 1947 James Caunt, the editor, and not afraid to speak his mind in the Mustard and Cress editorial piece, penned a diatribe against British Jews for not doing more to prevent Zionist killing of British troops in Palestine, describing Jews as 'a plague on Britain' and encouraging violence against them. This brought a wave of condemnation, eventually resulting in the judiciary summoning Caunt for seditious libel. Widespread press coverage was given, even a report in the Sydney Morning Herald paper. In a high-profile trial at Liverpool Assizes, with Caunt being defended by the nation's leading advocate, he was found not guilty. The Visitor reported the acquittal on the front page, normally reserved for advertisements only. This Pamphlet was published by the newspaper as a matter of record.