A former head of the Armed Forces struck a Labour Party peer during a furious row over the Lebanon conflict. Lord Bramall, 82, hit Lord Janner, a senior member of Britain's Jewish community, after making what witnesses claim were a series of 'anti-Israel' comments. Peers watched in astonishment as their argument over the Middle East escalated.
Lord Janner, 78, a veteran campaigner for Holocaust victims, was said to feel 'wronged and seriously offended' after the attack at the House of Lords. He immediately sought the advice of fellow peers about how and whether to make a formal complaint against Lord Bramall, who was Chief of the Defence Staff during the 1982 Falklands War and sits as a cross-bencher. But, after consulting several colleagues, Lord Janner decided he was prepared to accept an apology. They approached Lord Bramall, who later phoned him to say sorry.
A senior source said: 'There was no anti-Semitic remark but the comments by Bramall were anti-Israel. It took place in one of the rooms close to the Lords chamber and it got out of hand. It ended with Bramall hitting Janner.
'Those who witnessed the row were extremely shocked by his behaviour.'
The former Labour MP for Leicester - better known as Greville Janner - was left feeling 'distressed and bewildered', according to one of the senior peers he consulted.
When Lord Bramall was asked if it was true that he had had an argument with Lord Janner over the Lebanon crisis, in which he made anti-Israeli remarks, he replied: 'We are very old friends, we have corresponded since then.' Asked what 'then' meant, Lord Bramall said: 'Since we had a slight argument.' Questioned over whether the argument involved any physical contact, Lord Bramall replied: 'Not an assault,' before terminating the conversation.
Eton-educated Lord Bramall served in the occupation of Japan. He was later on Lord Mountbatten's staff and became a full General in 1976.
No action has been taken by the Lords authorities and Lord Janner has made no complaint. Last night he said: 'Lord Bramall has apologised, and, as far as I'm concerned, the matter is now closed. I'm sorry, I'm saying nothing more.