George Wigg
George Wigg was born on 28th November, 1900. He was educated at Queen Mary's Grammar School in Basingstoke. In 1919 he joined the British Army and served until 1937. On the outbreak of the Second World War he rejoined the army.
A member of the Labour Party, Wigg was elected to the House of Commons in the 1945 General Election. Soon afterwards Clement Attlee appointed Wigg as parliamentary private secretary to Emanuel Shinwell as Minister of Fuel and Power (1945-47), Secretary of State for War (1947-50) and Minister of Defence (1950-51).
After the 1951 General Election Wigg returned to the backbenches where he took a keen interest in security issues.
On 2nd March, 1963, Wigg, made a speech where he referred to rumours that John Profumo was having an affair with Christine Keeler. A few weeks later Profumo made a personal statement where he admitted he knew Keeler but denied there was any impropriety in their relationship. This statement failed to stop newspapers publishing stories suggesting that Profumo had lied about his relationship with Keeler. On 5th June 1963, Profumo admitted that he had misled the House of Commons and resigned from office.
When Harold Wilson became prime minister he appointed Wigg as his Paymaster General. Wigg left the House of Commons in 1967 when he was created Baron Wigg and was appointed as Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
George Wigg died in 1983.