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Irene "Marjorie" Savidge became Irene Gentle (9 June 1905 – 26 March 1985) was a
British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English ...
factory worker and subject of police interrogation who became involved in a scandal. A charge of indecency against her and Sir
Leo Chiozza Money Sir Leo George Chiozza Money (; 13 June 1870 – 25 September 1944), born Leone Giorgio Chiozza, was an Italian-born economic theorist who moved to Britain in the 1890s, where he made his name as a politician, journalist and author. In the early ...
was dismissed by magistrates, but she was later detained again and subjected to a five-hour interrogation by male officers. Her complaints led to a
public inquiry A tribunal of inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body. In many common law countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada, such a public inquiry differs from a royal commission in that ...
concerning police procedures and later a royal commission.


Life

Savidge was born in
Tottenham Tottenham () is a town in North London, England, within the London Borough of Haringey. It is located in the ceremonial county of Greater London. Tottenham is centred north-northeast of Charing Cross, bordering Edmonton to the north, Walthams ...
in 1905. She became a radio valve-tester in
New Southgate New Southgate is a residential suburb straddling three Outer London Boroughs: a small part of the east of Barnet, a south-west corner of Enfield and in loosest definitions, based on nearest railway stations, a small northern corner of Haringe ...
and was engaged to Frank Gentle.William Donaldson (2002) ''Brewer's Rogues, Villains & Eccentrics'' In November 1927, she was introduced to the 57 year old Sir
Leo Chiozza Money Sir Leo George Chiozza Money (; 13 June 1870 – 25 September 1944), born Leone Giorgio Chiozza, was an Italian-born economic theorist who moved to Britain in the 1890s, where he made his name as a politician, journalist and author. In the early ...
who was married and had been a government minister. Over the next few months they would go out together to the theatre or for dinner. Savidge's parents, Alice and John Savidge were aware of their friendship. On 23 April 1928, they went for a meal together and afterwards they went to Hyde Park. Officers of the Metropolitan Police arrested them, claiming that they were engaged in mutual masturbation and that Money's genitals were in view. Money claimed that he had been offering Savidge advice on her career.Taylor, A.J.P. (1965) The Oxford History of England: English History 1914–1945 They were both arrested and charged with indecent behaviour, but the case was dismissed by the Marlborough Street magistrate, who awarded costs of £10 against the police. At the time of his arrest, Money protested to the police that he was "a man of substance" and, once in custody, was permitted to telephone the
Home Secretary The secretary of state for the Home Department, otherwise known as the home secretary, is a senior minister of the Crown in the Government of the United Kingdom. The home secretary leads the Home Office, and is responsible for all national ...
, Sir William Joynson-Hicks. The two were released and then the
Director of Public Prosecutions The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is the office or official charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world. The title is used mainly in jurisdictions that are or have been members of ...
, Sir
Archibald Bodkin Sir Archibald Henry Bodkin KCB (1 April 1862''London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538–1812'' – 31 December 1957) was an English lawyer and the Director of Public Prosecutions from 1920 to 1930. He particularl ...
suspected police perjury and asked for further investigation. Bodkin appointed an experienced officer Chief Inspector Alfred C. Collins to investigate. On 15 May, Savidge was collected from work by two officers, one being
Lilian Wyles Lilian Mary Elizabeth Wyles (31 August 1885 – 13 May 1975) was an English female police officer who was among the first officers to take statements from female and juvenile assault victims, rather than relying on "assistants".Louise A. Jackson: " ...
, and taken for interrogation, which lasted some five hours. It was conducted without a female officer being present, since Wyles was told to leave by Collins. Savidge was required to show the police her
petticoat A petticoat or underskirt is an article of clothing, a type of undergarment worn under a skirt or a dress. Its precise meaning varies over centuries and between countries. According to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'', in current British E ...
, whose colour and brevity they duly noted and at a certain point Collins caressed her knee. Savidge complained about her treatment and there followed an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on 17 May 1928, initiated by Labour MP, Tom Johnston. Joynson-Hicks established a
public inquiry A tribunal of inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body. In many common law countries, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada, such a public inquiry differs from a royal commission in that ...
under Sir
John Eldon Bankes Sir John Eldon Bankes, (17 April 1854 – 31 December 1946) was a Welsh judge of the King's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, and later the Lord Justice of Appeal. Biography Born in Northop, Flintshire on 17 April 1854, he wa ...
(a retired
Lord Justice of Appeal A Lord Justice of Appeal or Lady Justice of Appeal is a judge of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, the court that hears appeals from the High Court of Justice, the Crown Court and other courts and tribunals. A Lord (or Lady) Justice ...
), which quickly became known as the Savidge Inquiry and the press was clear that it was the police who were on trial for their behaviour. The inquiry criticised the excessive zeal of the police, but also exonerated Savidge's interrogators of improper conduct. However, the Royal Commission on Police Powers and Procedure was then set up between September 1928 and March 1929, and this led to reforms in the way that the police dealt with female suspects. It also enabled a number of public figures to articulate their view that the police should primarily enforce law and order, rather than "trying to be censors of public morals". In August 1928 it was reported that Savidge was considering offers to appear on the stage. Savidge married Frank Gentle in 1929. He had stood by her through the scandal. She died in the hospital in
Minehead Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the boundary with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National P ...
in 1985.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Savidge, Irene 1905 births 1985 deaths People from Tottenham category:History of the Metropolitan Police