Chapter 2346 - 294: The Hastings Faction in British Politics (3)

Disraeli was stunned for a moment. This information was unexpected for him, but on further thought, it was quite reasonable.

He casually asked, "What was the outcome for the witness who beat us to it with a blemish?"

Arthur held his teacup and said, "Exile to Australia, three years."

Eld instinctively frowned, "Such a heavy sentence?"

"Heavy? I feel it’s quite light already." Arthur blew on the steam rising from his cup, "I despise traitors."

Disraeli, with a cigar in his mouth, bent over to strike the ball, "Well then, if, and I mean if, the Pinkerton lad really gets caught, what do you think his sentence might be?"

Arthur placed his teacup back on its saucer, "I can’t give you a definitive answer because theoretically, he’s involved in collusion, leaking secrets, and assisting rebellion. If the prosecution chooses to make a heavy case, he could end up on the gallows."

Eld clicked his tongue.

"However," Arthur’s tone shifted, "You know that it’s not like ten years ago anymore. The Bloody Act has been abolished, and juries are increasingly reluctant to deliver death sentences in political cases. The Home Office also tends to avoid the risk of capital punishment. So, even if he’s convicted, it’s likely to be converted to exile. Of course, all this assumes that Allen hasn’t been charged with treason by the prosecution, in which case his trial would be transferred to the Throne Court, and the jury wouldn’t so easily intervene."

Disraeli, with his half-baked legal knowledge, recalled, "I remember back when in the Swin riot, initially 252 people were sentenced to death, but most were later commuted to exile. In the end, how many were executed..."

"Nineteen." Arthur, who then assisted the Home Office in handling the Swin riot, knew it clearly, "Nineteen people were approved for hanging for involvement in murder or being riot organizers. After the report, 233 had their sentences commuted to exile for many years by His Majesty William, and those with severe circumstances were banned from returning to England for life. In total, 481 people were exiled. Additionally, 681 participants with lesser involvement were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment."

"Six hundred eighty-one imprisoned..." Eld lightly repeated, "If we estimate by this ratio..."

Before Eld could finish, Arthur interrupted, "Don’t be naive, Eld. Allen that kid is the mastermind this time. Even if Her Majesty the Queen endorses commuting his execution order, it’s for political needs. His great future in Britain is completely ruined by himself."

"What future does the Pinkerton lad have in Britain?" Disraeli pushed his cue ball, "Even if it’s commuted, his future is in Australia, with a lifetime ban on returning to England."

At this, Disraeli turned to Eld, "Once he gets caught, make some good arrangements for him to get on a decent exile ship with the Royal Navy. Though he’s young and strong, the journey to Australia is so long, without proper arrangements in advance, dying halfway there isn’t out of the question."

"For Mrs. Tom’s sake who used to give me those cookies." Eld agreed readily, "I’ll ensure Allen gets on a clean ship. Many Royal Navy ships going to Australia have scientific missions, and I have some influence."

At this, Eld loosened his shoulders, turning to Arthur, "But I heard that the top figure in the Home Office isn’t happy about Allen’s matter? Have all those collaborative projects between Scotland Yard and the University of London stopped?"

"They have indeed stopped, but that’s not much," Arthur rested one hand on the cue stick, "Phillips plans to move the academic projects over to King’s College."

"What a joke! King’s College?" Eld was still snickering moments ago, but upon hearing this, his face lit up with anger as if struck by lightning, "Why doesn’t Phillips just invite the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Police Commissioner Committee as a member? Setting up collaborations with King’s College today, is he planning to move Scotland Yard’s office to Westminster Abbey tomorrow? Arthur, you can’t let Phillips do this!"

Arthur knew this undisclosed news would infuriate this loyal University of London supporter, but he had no intention of soothing him. Instead, he sighed, further fueling the fire, "Eld, this isn’t against me or the University of London. Now the Home Office’s greatest fear is that Scotland Yard could be overly influenced by the bastion of radicalism that is the University of London."

"What nonsense!" Eld angrily rebutted, "Anyone who truly understands education knows that the University of London is the most free, modern, and high-quality place for higher education in Britain. Giving the project to King’s College is as absurd as having a blind person lead the way!"

Arthur helplessly shrugged, "What else can we do? Do you think the people governing the country are all keen-eyed individuals?"

Disraeli pondered more deeply than Eld, "Could Phillips alone have the qualification or guts to make such a decision? Suspending Scotland Yard’s projects with the University of London, unless someone’s backing him, I’d reckon Phillips wouldn’t act on his own."

Eld’s anger was forcibly contained by these words, "Benjamin, you mean..."

"I mean..." Disraeli lightly smiled, "This isn’t a Home Office issue, it’s a party issue. The Whig Party no longer needs radicalism and the reform narrative. For the current Whig Party, order trumps progress, and stability outweighs ideals. As for the University of London... you all are too free, so much so that it’s unsettling, just like Brougham and Dalhousie."