Was 'God's Cop' Sir James Anderton a Freemason? Auction of late GMP boss' belongings raises questions
An auction of keepsakes and valuables belonging to the late Sir James Anderton - who died last year - has provided a rare insight into the life of GMP boss who was nicknamed 'God's cop'.
Mr Stalker, who died in 2019, had been asked to investigate the shootings of Republican terrorist suspects by RUC officers during the 1980s. However he was removed from the inquiry shortly before it was due to report in 1986 - prompting a huge controversy that continued for years. There is no suggestion that James Anderton was involved in any wrongdoing in Mr Stalker's case.
Perhaps one reason he owned it is that page 25 is dedicated to a spitting image of Sir James himself, talking on the phone. Well-known nationally, and liked and respected by Margaret Thatcher, Sir James once claimed to be 'used by God' to speak out on moral issues and the TV satire took this literally - suggesting he regularly conversed with his maker on the phone.
Neil Ashley, auctioneer and director of Ashley Waller Auctioneers which hosted the sale on Wednesday, said: "We have received quite considerable interest from a number of collectors, some of whom are collectors of police memorabilia."
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