John Beckett (1894-1964; ODNB), journalist and radical politician; joined the Independent Labour Party 1917; MP (Lab) Gateshead, 1924-9, Peckham, 1929-31; member of the ILP parliamentary group critical of the social and economic policies of Labour government of 1929-31, and in protest on 17 July 1930 outraged the House of Commons by seizing and carrying away its mace, the symbol of royal authority; independent candidate at 1931 general election; joined Oswald Mosley's New Party 1932, the British Union of Fascists 1934, and the (fascist) British People's Party 1939; interned under wartime regulations 1940-3.

Journal references: 2

• 19 Jul 1930
• 23 Jul 1930