John Wheatley, Baron Wheatley facts for kids
John Thomas Wheatley, Baron Wheatley (born January 17, 1908 – died July 28, 1988) was a Scottish politician and judge. He was a member of the Labour Party.
Life and Career
John Thomas Wheatley was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on January 17, 1908. He was the youngest of three children. His father, Patrick Wheatley, was born in Ireland and worked as a miner before becoming a publisher. His mother, Janet, was a teacher.
John went to school at St. Aloysius' College, Glasgow and Mount St Mary's College. He then studied at the University of Glasgow. In 1932, he became a lawyer, known as an advocate.
War Service
During World War II, John Wheatley served in the army. He was part of the Royal Artillery and also worked in a legal role for the military. He even appeared in court wearing his army uniform. When he was younger, he also played football for Shettleston F.C..
Political Journey
John Wheatley tried to become a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. He ran for election in 1945 and 1946 but didn't win. However, in November 1947, he was elected as the MP for Edinburgh East. He served in Parliament until 1954.
While he was an MP, he held important legal positions in the Scottish government. He was the Solicitor General for Scotland from March to October 1947. After that, he became the Lord Advocate, which is the chief legal officer for the Scottish Government. In 1947, he was also made a King's Counsel (KC) and a Privy Counsellor (PC).
One of his biggest achievements as a politician was helping to create the legal aid system in Scotland. This system helps people who can't afford a lawyer get legal help.
Becoming a Judge
After his time in politics, John Wheatley became a judge. He was known by his judicial title, Lord Wheatley.
In 1966, he was chosen to lead a special group called the Royal Commission on Local Government in Scotland. This group looked at how local councils in Scotland were organized. Their report, known as the "Wheatley Report" (published in 1969), led to big changes in how local government worked in Scotland.
On July 28, 1970, he was given the title of a life peer, becoming Baron Wheatley. This meant he could sit in the House of Lords. In December 1972, he became the Lord Justice Clerk, which is the second-highest judge in Scotland. He held this important role until 1985.
Safety in Sports
After a sad event at a football stadium called the Ibrox disaster in 1971, the government asked Lord Wheatley to investigate safety at sports grounds. His report, published in 1972, became the basis for the Green Guide. This guide provides important rules and advice to make sure sports stadiums are safe for everyone.
John Wheatley was a lifelong Roman Catholic. As a judge, he was known for giving strong sentences in criminal cases.
Family
John Wheatley came from a family involved in politics. His uncle, also named John Wheatley, was an MP for Shettleston and a government minister in the 1920s.
John Wheatley married Nancy Nichol in 1935. They had four sons and one daughter. His daughter, Kathleen, married Tam Dalyell, who was also a well-known Member of Parliament.
