Dr George Lane, 1st Baron Chester

Official Portrait of Baron George Lane

George Harisson Michael Lane, 1st Baron Chester, 12th Baron Kildare, MBE, GC, PC, PHD, FBA, FKC, FRSC, FHA, FRHistS, FSA, FRAS, FCPS, BSC, FBKS, FInstP, FRPS, FRMetS, FLS, ARA, MRI, CL (Born 24th January 1943 - 12th November 2022) was a British Politician and Author. He was Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Affairs from 1981 to 1983, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions from 1983 to 1985, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy from 1985 to 1992 and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1995. Lane was Baron of Chester from 2022 and assumed his inherited position as Baron of Kildare in 2022. In addition Lane served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hazel Grove since 2008 and was previously MP for Worcester from 1972 to 1973, Halton from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1977 to 1979, Bromsgrove from 1975 to 1976, Eddisbury from 1976 to 1977, Congleton from 1981 to 1983 and Wyre Forest from 1983 to 1996.

Lane attended Cambridge University, from 1961 to 1963, where he studied Classical Literature before studying Sociology and Russian at Oxford University, from 1963 to 1966, and then achieved a PHD in Imperial History from The University Of Edinburgh, from 1966 to 1969. He was elected President of the Cambridge Union in 1961.

## Early Life

### Childhood

Lane was born on 24 January 1943 in Kildare, Ireland, to 25-year-old David Lane, a prominent businessman, and 20-year-old Baroness Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Baroness of Kildare. Lanes parents had married in 1940. In July 1944, they migrated to Manchester, England, so that David could better run his businesses; during this time, Baroness Elizabeth began writing a series of Romance Novels which garnered critical acclaim, and in 1945 she gave birth to a daughter, Maria. In February 1948, the family moved to Devon, and in October 1950 they relocated to Melbourne, Australia, where David had gained employment with Militech. David then was elected an MP and moved the family to Kensington, London, in June 1954. A third child, Arthur, was born in May 1954. In 1949, the family migrated to England and settled into Arley Hall, Cheshire which David had previously purchased. There, Lane gained his first experiences of Hunting. His father was regularly absent from Arley Hall, leaving Lane to be raised largely by his mother, assisted by nannies. As a child, Lane was noted for his intellect despite his young age. He and his siblings were encouraged to engage in highbrow activities from a young age, with high achievement being greatly valued.

In early 1948, the family moved to Mamhead in Devon, due to David recovering from a car accident in which he damaged both his legs. In 1949, Baroness Elizabeth and the children briefly returned to Arley Hall, where Lane attended Kings School | Chester, before moving to Melbourne, Australia, in 1950, where they were educated at Melbourne Grammar School. After David was elected as a Member of Parliament, he moved his family in 1954 to Kensington, London, where Lane attended Eton College and learnt to speak French.

### Eton, Cambridge, Oxford and Edinburgh: 1956-1969

Lane gained a King's Scholarship to study at Eton College, a boarding school near Windsor in Berkshire. Arriving in the autumn term of 1956. He abandoned his mother's Catholicism and became an Atheist. School reports complained about his idleness, complacency and lateness, but he was popular and well known at Eton. His friends were largely from the wealthy upper-middle and upper classes, his best friends then being Thomas Calwall and his cousin Michael Fitzgerald VI, both of whom later accompanied him to the University of Cambridge and remained friends into adulthood. Lane excelled in English and History, winning prizes in both, and became secretary of the school debating society.

Lane attended Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Lane participated in the Cambridge Rowing Team. Sure to avoid any negative press, Lane was always sure to keep himself very private. Whilst at Cambridge, Lane began a relationship with fellow student, Annabelle Davis. She was a glamorous and popular fellow student from his own social background, and they became engaged while at university.

Lane was popular and well known at Cambridge. In 1961, Lane was elected President of the Cambridge Union in which his term was described as distinguished and memorable, setting an example for future presidents. Finally, Lane was awarded an upper first-class degree in 1963.

In late 1963, Lane began studying Sociology and Russian at Oxford University. Unlike Cambridge University, Lane found Oxford dull and described his experience there as “so excruciatingly boring” and counted each day till his eventual graduation. It was during his time at Oxford University that Lane published his first book ‘The Brothers Kin’, a psychological Horror novel, which reached the top of the New York Times Best Sellers List and garnered considerable success. Lane graduated from Oxford University, in 1966, with a MA in Sociology along with a BA in Russian.

Lane began studying a Doctorate in Imperial History at Edinburgh University, in 1966. He only lived at the Edinburgh University Campus for a short time due to Lane moving back to Kensington after the murder of his sister, Countess Maria Dewicker by her husband Earl Harold Dewicker V in what is remembered as “The Dewicker Affair”, to deal with his grief. After Lanes thesis, Imperial History: It’s Effects On Modern Society, initially failed to gain him a Doctorate, Lane eventually earned a Doctorate in Imperial History, in 1969.

## Early Career

### The Daily Dean: 1969-1988

In July 1969, Lane and Davis were married in Westminster, London. After a multinational honeymoon to Greece, Egypt, Spain, America, Australia, Singapore, India and Paris, they settled in Kensington, West London, when he secured work for a munitions manufacturer, A.R.K Munitions Group; he resigned after a week. In early 1969, through family connections, he began work as a columnist for JNN. Scandal erupted when Lane wrote an article on the supposed affair of politician Nawaharlal Jehru for the newspaper, having invented a majority of the evidence for the article. After the editor John Almighty learnt of the matter, they dismissed Lane.

Lane secured employment on the leader-writing desk of The Daily Dean, having met its editor, Dean Wooldridge, during a party at his childhood home, Arley Hall. His articles appealed to the newspaper's readership, and were known for their distinctive literary style, replete with old-fashioned words and phrases and for regularly referring to the readership as "my friends". In late 1970, Lane was appointed to the newspaper's New York bureau to report on the New York State Senate, remaining in the post until 1972. A strong critic of then New York Governor, John Reede, he established himself as one of the city's top journalists. Due to the subjects of his articles, Lane was the near victim of an assassination attempt, orchestrated by supporters of the Democratic Party in which they planned to place an explosive in the apartment which Lane was living in with then wife Annabelle Davis. Many of his fellow journalists there were critical of his articles, opining they often contained lies designed to discredit the senate. The Republican politician Dylan Gardner later stated at that time Lane was "one of the greatest journalists of his time".

In October 1971, Lane's wife Annabelle left him; after several attempts at reconciliation, their marriage ended in April 1973. Shortly after, he began a relationship with Lady Ophelia James-Newart, clothing model and daughter of Earl Samuel James-Newart, they were married at Arley Hall in Cheshire, soon after which Ophelia gave birth to a daughter, Louise. Lane and his new wife settled in Kensington. Under the influence of his wife, Lane moved in a more liberal direction on issues like the environment, LGBT rights and race relations. While in Kensington, the couple had three more children, all given the surname Lane. They were sent to Eton Primary School and then continued to private secondary schools.

#### Political columnist

Back in London, Wooldridge turned down Lanes request to become a culture reporter, instead promoting him to the position of assistant editor and chief political columnist. Lane's column received praise for being ideologically eclectic and distinctively written, and earned him a Commentator of the Year Award at the What the Papers Say awards.

Scandal erupted in June 1976 when love letters between Lane and his friend Thomas Calwall were made public. In the letters, Calwall described a romantic affair between himself during the period of time they attended Eton College and Cambridge together. Further scandal occurred when a telephone conversation between Lane and Calwall discussing how Calwall was being investigated by Globe News journalist Brandon Hasaari, and he asked Lane to provide him with Hasaari's private address, seeking to have the latter beaten to the extent of "him being within an inch of his life or perhaps". Lane agreed to supply the information, although he expressed concern that he would be associated with the attack. When the phone conversation was published in 1979, Lane stated that ultimately he had not obliged Calwall's request.

### Becoming an MP

Following Statros Senna's retirement, Lane decided to stand as Conservative candidate for Worcester, a Conservative safe seat in Midwest England. The local Conservative branch selected him although it was split over Lane's candidacy. Some thought him amusing and charming while others disliked his flippant attitude and lack of knowledge of the local area. Boosted by his television fame, Lane won the seat in the 1972 general election with a majority of 8,500 votes. Alongside his Kensington home, Lane bought a farmhouse in his new constituency. He regularly attended Worcester social events and occasionally wrote for the Worcester Standard. His constituency surgeries proved popular, and he joined local campaigns to stop the closure of many Hospitals across the Midwest.

In Parliament, Lane was appointed to The Business of the House Committee. With his credentials as a public speaker, his speeches in the House of Commons were often received with thundering applause from both sides of the House; Lane, notably a tough critic of himself, was noted as saying "it could’ve been better". In his first four years as MP, he attended a majority of House Votes. He usually supported the Conservative party line but was notorious for rebelling. In free votes, he demonstrated a more socially liberal attitude than many colleagues.

Although labelling Lane "ineffably duplicitous" for breaking his promise not to become an MP, Hackney decided not to dismiss him because he "helped promote the magazine and raise its circulation". Lane remained writing columns for The Daily Dean and making television appearances. His 1973 book: The Count, recounted that year's election campaign, while 1974's Lane In Part collected together previously published columns and articles. In 1977, Harper Collins published his fifth novel: The Day He Dies: Considered A Comedy revolved around the life of a Conservative MP and contained various autobiographical elements. Responding to critics who argued he was juggling too many jobs, he cited Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli as exemplars who combined their political and literary careers.

Following Bruce Wayne's resignation as Conservative leader, Lane backed Liam Allen, regarding Allen as the only candidate capable of winning a general election; the party elected Liam Allen. Lane had a strained relationship with Allen, and The Home Mail became critical of his party leadership. Allen appointed Lane to the position of Party Representative for Digital, Cultural, Media and Sports Affairs.

In November 1979, tabloids revealed that since 1975 Lane had resumed his affair with childhood friend, Thomas Calwall. Lane initially called the claims "a failed attempt at ruining his character". Lanes wife, Countess Ophelia James-Newart left him in January 1979 and they finally divorced in 1982.

### Second term

In the 1973 general election, Lane was elected MP for Halton, increasing his majority to 12,793. The Conservatives won the election.

In April 1974, the Globe News alleged that Lane was having an affair with the journalist Devina Morrissee; the pair did not comment, and shortly afterwards Lane began employing Morrissee. That month, he attracted further public attention for appearing drunk at a charity gala.

He presented a popular culture television show, The Other Life, which was broadcast in January 1978; a book followed in February. A sequel, After The Life, focused on Benefit Culture. As a result of his various activities, in 1987, he earned £2,000,000 making him the UK's fortieth-highest-earning MP that year.

## Cabinet Activity: 1981-1995

After much media speculation, in August 1981 he sought re-election as the Conservative candidate for the safe seat of Congleton at the 1981 general election, becoming the party's candidate in September. In the May 1981 general election, Lane was elected MP. With his re-election, Lane was made a minister in the Cabinet for the first time.

#### Culture Secretary: 1981-1983

Settling into his first Cabinet position, Lane's first official engagement was an appearance at the Annual Light and Colour Festival held in London. Rather than bringing a team of assistants with him to the job as his predecessors had done, Lane built his team over the following months.

He received criticism during his first term as Minister, largely because of the lack of legislation produced by Lane throughout his time in the position. During his tenure, Lane was embroiled in several personal scandals. The press accused him of having an affair with Lisa Williams and of fathering her child, Peter Williams, allegations that he did not deny.

#### Work & Pensions Secretary: 1983 – 1985

Lane was appointed Minister for Work and Pensions after his work on the Non-Compulsory Unions Act by then Prime Minister Shay Stone. Lane garnered heavy criticism for comments made about then lord Thomas Skinner after the peer claimed Lane had plagiarised himself.

#### Minister for Business & Energy: 1985 - 1992

A relatively new position for Lane, he was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Similar to his tenure as Minister for Culture, Lane was criticised for producing legislation that was not relevant to his position.

Notably, Lane was a strong defender of small business within the UK claiming them to be the backbone of the British economy. The often agreed pinnacle of Lanes tenure as Minister for Business and Energy, was the passing of the Underprivileged Areas Sustainable Energy Act which installed millions of Solar Panels in underprivileged areas across the UK.

#### Foreign Secretary: 1992-1995

After Phillip Edwards had become the NDC Chairman and Prime Minister, he appointed Lane Foreign Secretary in May 1992. Analysts saw the appointment as a tactic to strengthen Lane politically: Edwards tasked Lane with drafting and negotiating an agreement known as The Trilateral Agreement, a policy that had notably failed to develop during the Stone Administration.

Some journalists and foreign politicians criticised Lane's appointment because of his history of controversial statements regarding foreign leaders. His tenure in the role attracted minimal criticism due to his more silent approach to Foreign Policy. Diplomats and Foreign Ministers noted his ability to negotiate and that summits with Lane were always guaranteed to be a respectable experience.

As an attempt to better British-Canadian relations in preparation for the Trilateral Agreement Summit later in the year, Lane visited Vancouver in 1995. His visit consisted of meetings with then Prime Minister, Miranda Phillips, and visits to local sights. Lanes visit was cut short however when he returned to the UK to attend the funeral of his mother Baroness Elizabeth Fitzgerald.

One of Lane’s attempts at passing NDC Policy whilst Foreign Secretary was his attempt to have the UK rejoin NATO in 1994. After discovering at its present state NATO could not be joined and that Lane would be figuring out a way to rejoin NATO at a later date, Lane came under heavy criticism by his fellow Ministers. Lane was later asked by former Prime Minister, Shay Stone, to resign to which Lane refused and continued on as Foreign Secretary.

After much negotiation with Canada and Australia, Lane successfully signed The Trilateral Agreement in 1995. However, before he was able to put the bill through to the House of Commons, the NDC failed to be re-elected and Lane was not able to pass the agreement.

In December 1995, three days after the cabinet had a meeting to agree on a Foreign Policy strategy now that they were re-elected, Lane, along with Chancellor of the Exchequer Elizabeth Skegness days later, resigned his post citing the corruption of Conservative Leader, Liam Allen. With this, Lane also resigned all posts within the Conservative and Unionist Party.

## Controversy

In both his career as well as his personal life, Lane became known for his controversial actions including his, expected to be, hundreds of extramarital affairs, his involvement with corruption and supposed criminal activity.

### Channel Narcotics Scandal

During the week of 9-12 of March 2017, Lane attended multiple meetings and lunches with known French criminals, Christian and Henry Rennauer. These visits coincide with Lane's hosting of the Paris Import Agreement Summit, which he was attending as British Minister for International Trade.

The first meeting is expected to have taken place on the 9th of March at 2 am in the Ritz Hotel, shortly after Lane’s arrival in Paris. From 7 till 11 pm, Lane had been hosting a party in honour of Chinese President, Chan’ge Weshu, and German President, Martin Sonneborn, as was Lane's tradition for summit’s. As others began to leave, Lane chose to remain in the bar area of the restaurant to wait for the Rennauer brothers. Upon their arrival, Lane and the brothers moved upstairs to a prepaid suite where it’s believed the brothers proposed their idea to Lane before the three agreed to meet early the next morning.

On the 10th of March, Lane attended a lunch at Le Foquets with both brothers where Lane agreed to use his position as British International Trade Secretary to allow for narcotics to enter the UK from France without detection. Lane accomplished this by accessing security information for the required checkpoints, as well as other information, and sharing it with the Rennauer’s so their boats were able to enter undetected. It is believed that Lane was given 25% of the profits from the operation and at its height was profiting £40 million per month.

Realising that it would be difficult to falsify records to say why the increased income was occurring, Lane asked his son in law, Tony Robinson, to help him process the funds through his company, Robinson Finance Group. Robinson was reluctant at first, not wanting to risk being arrested, however Lane was able to blackmail him with threats of revealing Robinson’s affair with model Christine Swallows, to his wife, Countess Louise Lane.

After an argument with Henry Rennauer over debts Lane ensued with a Monte Carlo casino, Lane ended his agreement with the brothers. In retaliation the Rennauer’s claimed that they would kill Lane the next time the three would meet. Knowing the blood thirsty reputation of the brothers, Lane requested additional security measures be taken for him, which was denied citing no evidence of threat.

In September 2022, a report was made to the House of Lords - Domestic Affairs Committee by the Marquess of Downshire, claiming to have seen Lane attending lunch with the Rennauer’s and, after further private investigation, discovered Lane’s involvement in the plot. The Marquess requested a full hearing to investigate the claims, but such hearing was not made due to a lack of administrative ability at the time. Weeks before a hearing was intended to begin planning, Lane was found murdered in his home and so the committee chose not to continue.

### Death of Princess Jacqueline

On 12 June 2002, Lane, along with his wife, Princess Jacqueline of the Jackie Islands, and their three children, arrived in Maui, Hawaii, for a holiday. Whilst there, the family attended both official events on behalf of the royal family, as well as spending time together privately.

During the early hours of 15 June, Lane and Jacqueline were heard arguing outside their villa. Sources claim that the argument began with the discussion of Lane’s long term affair with Dr Toby George, with whom he had been living with since 1996. The argument then developed into Jacqueline revealing her intention to leave Lane for her lady in waiting, Martha Spencer. After being separated by royal bodyguard, Philip Aspen, the two parted ways and slept in separate rooms for the night.

At 7am that morning, Lane was awoken by authorities before being arrested on the suspicion of murdering Princess Jacqueline, who’s dismembered body had been found in nearby shrubbery 40 minutes earlier. Authorities were led to believe Lane had committed the murder as a result of the argument hours prior. At the time, the only evidence to support this was a statement made to police by Aspen, with said statement believed to be prejudiced against Lane because of Aspen’s feeling’s for Jacqueline.

After further investigation, Lane was released and Aspen was charged for Jacqueline’s murder. Investigator’s analysed blood from Jacqueline’s remains, discovering Aspen’s blood on the underside of her fingernails. It’s believed that Aspen assaulted Jacqueline after rejecting his advances whilst she was upset prior to her argument with Lane. He would strangle and later dismember Jacqueline before attempting to hide her remains in bushes behind the villa.

Lane returned to the Jackie Islands with his children and the casket containing Jacqueline. On 21 June 2002, Jacqueline was buried at the Abbey of St John with notable members such as members of international royalty in attendance. Lane declined to speak at the funeral due to what he would eventually describe as ”gut wrenching guilt” from his part in the failure of the marriage.

Despite repeated inquiries and revision of evidence since the death of Jacqueline, there is still strong belief amongst conspiracy theorists that Lane played a part in the murder and framed Aspen.

### NATOGATE

Whilst serving as the NDC Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Philip Edwards government in 1995, Lane was tasked with re-entering the United Kingdom into NATO, a founding policy of the NDC. Initially Lane struggled to find how the country would re-enter as although NATO existed in a legal capacity, there were no member states at the time. Lane reported to the cabinet that extra time would be needed to investigate the policy and despite push back, he was allowed to continue.

In July of 1995, Lane discovered a way to rejoin NATO by contacting former member states to rejoin and invite the United Kingdom. Lane put forward his plan to the cabinet but was not able to receive feedback yet due to the cabinet being absent for summer break. Sometimes toward the end of July, Lane was visited at his offices by Callum Jacobs where it’s believed the pair discussed the ongoing NATO discussions.

Before the two began conversation, Lane invited Jacobs to join him for lunch away from the premises as Lane worried for how confidential their discussion would be. This “tin foil hat paranoia”, as it would later be described by colleagues, was spurred from Lane’s belief he was being monitored and recorded by Conservative Party Leader, Liam Allen. Lane believed Allen had placed listening devices to record Lane's telephone conversations aswell as listening equipment in both his home and office. For a brief period in 1996, Lane complained on multiple occasions that he was being followed in public areas by Colin Paxton, a former private security officer, on the orders of Allen.

Lane and Jacobs walked to the Barley Mow pub, located near Westminster, and took seats in a corner booth so that they wouldn’t be noticed. Once they had settled, Jacobs attempted to blackmail Lane. Though Jacobs had already released information on Lane’s leadership of the Shadow, he was threatening to release all information on Lane if Lane didn’t agree to falsely report to the cabinet that rejoining NATO wasn’t an option. Lane initially agreed but was able to negotiate that Jacobs would pay a bribe to Lane by first giving Lane £8 million and then investing in Lane’s companies.

Shortly after, Lane prepared a statement to be read to the cabinet as a result of absence that read: “After long and thorough investigation into the matter, which despite the belief of some, I have most thoroughly done, it is my conclusion that at this time the United Kingdom is not able to rejoin NATO”. On the demand of Philip Edwards, Lane returned from Scotland to 10 Downing Street, where the meeting was being held, so that Lane could explain the situation. Lane was able to explain to the cabinet and explained that better options were going to be explored. Upon releasing a revised statement to the NDC, there was coalition wide outrage with record numbers of ministers calling for Lane’s resignation, including former Prime Minister Shay Stone. In retaliation to the announcement by Lane, Liam Allen illegally usurped all powers from Lane. It was later revealed that the decision to usurp Lane was taken by Philip Edwards due to threats made by Allen over the security of Edwards place as Prime Minister.

In December 1995, three days prior to a cabinet meeting to agree on a Foreign Policy strategy now that the coalition had been re-elected, Lane, along with Chancellor of the Exchequer Elizabeth Skegness days later, resigned his post citing the corruption of Conservative Leader, Liam Allen. With this, Lane also resigned all posts within the Conservative and Unionist Party.

Lane’s involvement in the scandal would not be discovered until investigations of his house during the investigation into the murder of Dr Toby George, in which documents proving bank transfers between Lane and Jacobs as well as erratically written notes describing the plan in detail, which would be released to the press shortly after Lane’s death in 2022.

### Thomas Calwall Affair

Born 25 November 1942, Thomas James Bartholomew Calwall was born in Mamhead, Devon to Farron Calwall, a university teacher, and Cynthia Calwall (nee Lienette), famed poet.

Calwall gained a King's Scholarship to study at Eton College, a boarding school near Windsor in Berkshire. Arriving in the autumn term of 1956. It is at Eton where Calwall befriended Lane. In a Diary kept by Calwall he revealed the relationship with Lane began during the summer of 1957 when Lane was invited to stay with Calwall at the family villa in Verona, Italy. Upon return to Eton, the pair would pay fellow students to help keep the relationship a secret. Lane chose to end the relationship In 1969 after informing Calwall of his engagement to Annabelle Davis. Davis and Lane married later that year.

In response to Lane ending the relationship, Calwall began humanitarian work in India, helping to support the ill and suffering. With Calwall’s background in writing, he returned to London in 1972 to write a series of novels on his experiences of India. Between the 22-25 of May 1972, Lane and Calwall frequently met at many unnamed locations across Westminster. In September 1972, Lane and Calwall resumed their previous affair.

Whilst attending a birthday party at Calwall’s house, Lane confronted a masked man who was discovered wrecking Calwall’s upstairs office. Lane attempted to apprehend the thief but was stabbed in his side as the thief fled out a bathroom window. Thanks to the quick action of the party guests, Lane was rushed to the hospital and released hours later. Instead of alerting police, Calwall hired private investigators to discover what had been taken. Though no valuables had been stolen, a mahogany box containing letters between Lane and Calwall dating back to their days at Eton, was missing. Fearing the worst, Lane fled to his home in Westminster.

On the 18th of June 1976, sections of the 200 letters between Lane and Calwall were leaked to the press. The world media immediately descended upon Lane and Calwall attempting to gain information about the pair’s relationship. Lane, ever the charter of public persuasion, stated that the letters were falsified and "a failed attempt at ruining his character". Lane believed that he had been able to successfully avoid the press whilst still continuing his relationship with Calwall.

Brandon Hasaari was an Indian-British journalist working for Globe News from 1978-79. Initially Hasaari was given mostly small stories till Hasaari was assigned to investigate the actions of Calwall. From September to March of 1979, Hasaari followed and detailed on Calwall till Calwall began to notice. In a leaked phone call between Lane and Calwall, Calwall requests for Lane to arrange for Hasaari to be attacked whilst at a nightclub in Campden. Lane agreed and had Hasaari followed to the nightclub by two unknown men accompanying Lane. On the orders of Lane, Hasaari was beaten repeatedly by the two men before Hasaari was taken to a waste skip outside and shot by Lane. Hasaari was left for dead.

After being discovered by a number of people, Hasaari was rushed to hospital and treated for his multiple injuries. Upon recovery, Hasaari published his findings on Calwall aswell as Lane. Along with his report on the pairs resumed affair, Hasaari released a recording where Lane agrees to the attack on Calwall. Fearing a repeat of the previous media frenzy, Calwall fled to California to work on his writing. Hasaari later died in 1980 during a procedure to help repair his lungs.

Despite promising to stick by Lane, his wife, Countess Ophelia James-Newart, left Lane in October of 1979 after his failure to not resume the affair with Calwall. Lane and James-Newart announced they had settled there divorce in early 1981.

Upon receiving the news of Lane and James-Newart’s divorce, Calwall boarded a flight to London from California. As a result of bad weather conditions, the flight was diverted to land in Paris, with a planned flight to London set to take place the next morning. Calwall checked into the Paris Ritz Hotel, choosing to stay in the hotel’s largest suite despite only intending to stay a night. Around 8am the next morning, as Calwall was being driven to the Charles De Gaulle airport, the driver lost control and the car was driven into a nearby bank, killing both Calwall and the driver instantly. Calwall’s assistant, Heather Pargate, was hospitalised and died a month later from a bleed in the brain.

Lane was informed of Calwall’s death by his then ex-wife Countess Ophelia. Although he offered to pay for the services, Lane was not allowed to attend Calwall’s funeral, on the wish of both Lane’s and Calwall’s families, as a result of the intense media coverage of their affair.

## Personal Life

Since Lane was born in Ireland to British-Irish parents, he first held British-Irish dual citizenship. In February 1996, Lane told the Guardian’s Chris Palmer, that he had been considering utilising his dual citizenship to flee the UK from corruption investigations that were ongoing at the time. Ultimately the investigation was dropped due to insufficient evidence. Lane has a knowledge of French, Italian, German, Spanish, Latin, Ancient Greek, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and Gaelic. His favourite film is The Grand Budapest Hotel, owing to "the visuals being like that of a scented dream".

A common point of controversy for Lane, he has always been open about his personal life. However, he has always made sure to be particularly secretive on the relationships in his life. Among friends and family, Lane is more commonly known as Georgie (extent of his forename George).

In 2001, in his book “A Series of Comments”, a criticism of previous governments action on policies, Lane said he had smoked cannabis before, and during, university. After the release of Lanes book, his second wife, Lady Ophelia James-Newart, released a memoir entitled 'The Habit' in which she revealed Lanes extensive addiction to cocaine during their relationship. Despite originally choosing not to comment, Lane revealed his choice to attend rehab in 1971, after the overdose of his childhood friend Rory Pillard.

Beginning whilst attending Cambridge, Lane is ranked as a Senior Men’s Foil Fencer and European Champion in Fencing.

Lane owns an extensive real estate portfolio estimated to be worth upwards of £114 million. According to HM Land Registry documents, he bought a twelve-bedroom property with his then-boyfriend Toby George in May 1998. The register of MPs' interest’s states that Lane has a rental income of at least £6,000,000 a year.

## Titles, Styles and Honours

2-time Grammy Award winner

1966: Doctor of History from the University of Edinburgh

1969: Associate of Imperial College London

1970: Fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society

1972: Fellowship of King’s College

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Journalists

1975: Member of the Royal Institution

1976: Fellowship of the British Academy

1980: Fellowship of the Historical Association

1985: Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

1988: Honorary Doctor of Sociology from Oxford University

1991: Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries

Member of the British Society of Cinematographers

1992: Sworn in as a Member of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council

1993: Member of the Order of the British Empire

Accredited Member of the Institute of Conservation

1996: Associate of the Royal Academy

Member of the Royal Irish Academy

1997: Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufacture & Commerce

2000: Member of the Royal Society of Biology

2002: Fellow of the Royal Society

Fellow of the British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society

2005: Fellow of the Institute of Physics

2007: Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

2008: Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society

2009: Awarded the George Cross for his assistance in the Easter Sunday bombing

2010: Fellow of the Linnean Society of London

2012: Associate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists

Associate of the Royal Photographic Society

2015: Appointed Companion of Literature by the Royal Society of Literature

2018: Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society

## Murder

### Dr Toby George

Toby Edward George was born on 6 August 1978, the only child of William and Katherine George. The family moved to France when he was two years old, but returned in 1987. In 2003 he gained a scholarship for a doctorate in Archaeology at Cambridge University, which he completed in 2007.

Refusing financial aid from his parents, George found work as a cleaner for Christiano Westford in 1996. Shortly after beginning work for Westford, George was introduced to a close friend of his employer, Duke Christian Nelson-Harbett. Captivated by his charm, George agreed to move into his flat. He chose to stop living with Nelson-Harbett once he discovered the Duke’s plan to become engaged to Monica Pelts, an American Actress.

During the weekend of May 21-22 1996, George was among several guests of Westford’s at the Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. That same weekend, at the main house, George was among the large gathering from the worlds of politics and the arts which Westford was hosting in honour of Maria Lane, his wife and the daughter of Dr George Lane. George was introduced to Lane while trying to separate a fight between two members of staff. George did not know, initially, who Lane was, but was impressed that he was the husband of royalty. Lane was greatly attracted to George, and expressed interest in a relationship with the then married politician.

A few days after the Waddesdon weekend, Lane contacted George. From 1996 till 1998, George and Lane pursued an affair until their discovery by journalist Samantha Bucket, after the two purchased a townhome together in Belgravia, London. Despite Lane’s marriage and the media attention drawn to the pair, they chose to remain living together in the Belgravia property till the tragic death of Lane’s wife, Princess Jacqueline of the Jackie Islands, after she was decapitated by helicopter blade in July 2002 whilst on holiday. After briefly staying apart for 8 months, the two moved back in together and were seen for the first time as a couple at the funeral of Christiano Westford in June 2003. Later that year George and Lane announced their engagement and that they intended to marry within a year, however the wedding was delayed till 2007 after a series of tragedies for Lane, including the death of his daughter Maria.

Together George and Lane had two children, Arthur, as named after Lane's brother, and Jackson Lane-George.

The marriage collapsed in May 2019 when George discovered Lane's multiple affairs, though George did not formally separate from Lane till September that year. On the wish of Lane, George remained in the couple's Belgravia Townhome and Lane relocated to Westminster. The two remained separated until George filed for divorce from Lane in 2022 after Lane attended the wedding of Countess Louise of Buckinghamshire, Lane's daughter, with Model and supposed escort, Valtri Mankov.

Toby normally went out with his short term boyfriend, Edward Colman, on Thursday nights, but had chosen to cancel due to headaches. The two last spoke on the telephone at about 1:00 pm on 4 November. After returning home from lunch with his divorce lawyer, Cheryl Increpchthi, George was visited by Lane so the two could discuss financial aspects of the pair’s ongoing divorce. Lane had agreed previously that he would continue to support George financially till George had found suitable employment, but Lane believed that George was abusing the agreement and threatened to withdraw from the divorce, thereby making the divorce process longer. The two argued until George attempted to leave the room via the main staircase. As George began to climb the stairs he was thrown against the wall by Lane, Lane proceeded to attempt to strangle George but was stopped when George was able to trip him down the stairs. George then ran to the upstairs living room where he tried to lock himself in whilst planning an escape. As George was about to enter the room, he was cornered by Lane on the landing and bludgeoned to death with a fire poker, leaving his face unrecognisable.

In a hurry to hide the body, Lane moved outside the property and instructed his driver, Blake Johnstone, to assist Lane in disposing of George’s corpse. Shortly after, Lane and Johnstone exited the property carrying the body of George behind the property before moving the vehicle to the more discreet location and loading George into the vehicle. Johnstone then drove Lane to Eynsham Mill, one of the Lane family estates,  in Oxfordshire where the two proceeded to dispose of George’s body in a large bonfire at around 7PM. Afterwards, Johnstone drove Lane back to Westminster before Lane fired him and arranged for Johnstone to be flown to Argentina to protect him from the expected police investigation. Johnstones last sighting was by his mother, Valerie Johnstone, the morning he left for Argentina.

### Investigation

On the morning of 5 November, Tracey McAllen, George’s maid, reported a suspected murder to police upon entering the Belgravia Townhome and discovering the crime scene from the night before. McAllen searched the property finding pools of blood and signs of a struggle but no sign of her employer.

By the time PC Devina Geathrow arrived at the property the case had been deemed a suspected homicide and forensic officers and photographers had been called to the property. To the confusion of Geathrow there was no sign of a forced entry despite the rest of the crime scene being typical of a robbery. Bloody footprints from two different people lead down the main stairs and through the house to the front door. The area in which the most blood was located was the first floor landing outside of a living room, where a pool of blood soaked the floor as well as bloody hand prints along the walls and on the side of a vase.

As there were no remains of Toby George, Geathrow struggled to begin her investigation. That was until forensics student and part time intern, Fred Palmer, discovered a tooth amongst the tassels of a carpet, that was suspected of belonging to George. Beginning her investigation, Geathrow ordered officers to employ door to door techniques by interviewing people in the area to discover any potential leads.

After interviewing neighbours and associates of Toby for 2 days, Geathrow anonymously received CCTV footage of Lane entering the property with what she described as “a look of pure anger”, around the time the murder was predicted to have occurred. Along with potential DNA evidence found on the bloody hand prints, Geathrow investigated further into Baron Lane. Compiling previous reports of supposed criminal activity and possible violent behaviour, Geathrow chose to arrest Lane but requested armed officers to help collect him.

On the morning of 8 November, Lane was arrested by Geathrow, accompanied by six armed guards, whilst he attempted to board a train at Paddington station. Lane was taken to New Scotland Yard to be interrogated by officers and formally charge Lane with George’s murder.

Though still under investigation, Lane was able to have his lawyers arrange for him to be allowed to return home pending Geathrow’s investigation. Despite Geathrows attempts to deny Lane’s request, it was ultimately granted citing concerns for Lane's safety In police custody due to his position within the cabinet. In protest against what she believed to be corruption within Scotland Yard, Geathrow submitted her resignation effective upon completion of the case.

## Death

Having been released from police custody as investigation continued, Lane returned home to Kensington where he lived alone. Around 2:30 on the morning of 11 November, Lane was alerted to a disturbance outside his bedroom door. Lane investigated the noise but did not find the source. As Lane began to get back into his bed, he was struck from behind with a porcelain vase, by an unknown man. As Lane lay unconscious on the bed, the assailant began to fill the bathtub in the en-suite bathroom with water. As Lane began to regain consciousness, he was dragged by his torso to the bathroom by his assailant. The attacker placed Lane inside the bath whilst Lane struggled to maintain consciousness. The attacker then proceeded to remove a large scale mirror from the bathroom wall and began to beat Lane across the head with it till all the glass had shattered. These shards of glass were then used to brutally attack Lane's arms and chest, in what was believed to be an attempt to cut an artery. After 30 minutes of torturing Lane, the assailant began to leave the property till he noticed a slight twitch in Lane’s arm, now identified as rigermortous, and to ensure Lane’s death collected towels from a cupboard bathroom. Tying the towels together, the assailant was successful in crafting a noose. The assailant then proceeded to remove Lane’s body from the bath and move him to the landing of the stairs. He was then able to tie the noose around his neck and threw Lane over the bannister. Shortly after, Lane’s murderer escaped the property.

A few hours after the murder of Lane, Selma Bahunte, Lane’s housekeeper, discovered his body hanging from the bannister upon entry to the property. She immediately notified PC Devina Geathrow of Lanes murder and later his body was removed and taken for autopsy. Investigation of the property revealed a supposed suicide note in which Lane confessed to the murder of Toby George and that he would kill himself as a result of guilt. A series of grammatical errors, suggesting the author do not speak English, were the first clues that led investigators to believe the note was fake. However further analysis revealed that the letter had been written with the pen on a left indentation, however, due to Lane's amputation, he wrote with a backwards indentation.

Despite extensive investigation, Scotland Yard chose to end the investigation after no sufficient evidence or suspects could be found.

Upon announcement of Lane’s death, tributes were held around the world. In the Houses of Parliament, statements were made by the Speakers of both houses as well as many parliamentary colleagues. A minute of silence was led by Speaker Sir Hugh Smith, Lane's son in law, in the House of Commons to commemorate the passing of Lane. As per the law of succession, General Viscount James Lane, inherited Lane’s titles of the Baron of Chester and the Baron of Kildare. In addition to titles, Lane inherited all property and financial assets of his late father which he chose to join, with addition to Lane family assets, under a new company called Lane Group valued at £80 billion.

On the 2nd of December, Lane’s funeral was held in Kildare, Ireland. Notable attendees were  members of the British and other international royal families, former prime ministers, celebrities and notable politicians. The service, as led by The Most Reverend Dr Eamon Martin, consisted of Lane’s favourite hymns and songs. Notably a eulogy was performed by HRH Prince Richard of Gloucester, longtime friend of Lane, and a group performance of ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’ by Lane’s godchildren, Serena Paulson (known professionally as Selena), Harry May, Austin Goldlock, Georgia Horn and Patrick Oghar, all notable musicians of the time. As Lane’s coffin was carried out of St Brigid's Cathedral, a recording of ‘In The Deep Midwinter’, as recorded by his late daughter, Maria Lane. On the wish of Lane, his heart had been removed and placed in an ornate wooden box, which lay on top of his coffin during the service before being placed inside the coffin when Lane was placed into the Fitzgerald Family Mausoleum on the grounds of Kilkea Castle.