Police Commissioner Vivien De Gray was appointed to this important and sensitive post by Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, after the 1955 Labour Party landslide victory. Soon it became evident, however, that De Gray's loyalty was not, as expected according to the Malta
 

Constitution in effect at the time, towards the freely elected Government, but towards the British Governor, Sir Robert Laycock, a military officer representing in Malta the British Imperial Government.

Laycock's claims for power in Malta were based on "truncheons, guns, battleships and bewildered commandos". [Dom Mintoff to British Colonial Secretary A. Lennox-Boyd] 

De Gray sold his loyalty to the British, thus betraying the Maltese Government and People.  He perpetrated a reign of terror against the Labour Party, its leaders and supporters which lasted until he hastily resigned and disappeared, on the Labour Party's re-election to power in 1971.
 

28th April, 1958

In the 28th April, 1958 Nationwide  uprising against British occupation, DE GRAY led  his Police Force together with some very loyal police officers, into the brutal beating of Maltese citizens. The riots were followed by innumerous indiscriminate arrests.  These  are some of those arrested :
 

 
 
Also arrested was Education Minister Miss Agatha Barbara.
Most of the people arrested were arraigned in Court. All the persons in these
pictures, together with others, were sentenced to prison by Magistrates
zealous to obtain the Governor, Sir Robert Laycock's favours.
 
 
 
(C)Copyright 1998   E.C. Schembri
All rights Reserved.
 
simbor@keyworld.net
 
 
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