HC Deb 20 February 1899 vol 66 cc1454-5
MR. SCOTT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to contradict the stories generally current to the effect that, after the capture of the city of Omdurman, the body of the Mahdi was taken from its grave, mutilated, and thrown into the Nile?

ME. BRODRICK

I understand that the body of the Mahdi was taken from its grave and thrown into the Nile. It was held by the Sirdar that the superstitious reverence which attached to the Mahdi's memory might cause a recrudescence of troubles in the Soudan, which, in view of the history of the past 16 years, it was necessary to take exceptional measures to avoid.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask the right honourable Gentleman what has been done with the remains?

MR. BRODRICK

Thrown into the Nile.

MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

To feed the fishes.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask whether in a war with a civilised Power such a gross outrage would be permitted?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

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