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reported events on the islands. The article looked forward to the coming of a

revolution driven by the anger generated by Bahrain’s new Penal Code. Tahrir

further criticised the Administration because it had ‘behaved badly’ during its

reception of Nasser in May, but gave no further details. 377 Gault made ready all

necessary defense arrangements following the Administration’s consent in case

violence occurred during the Shi’ite festival or in the anti-British demonstration.

HMS Flamingo anchored offshore Bahrain and HMS Loch Lomond sailed from Basra

in southern Iraq to Bahrain. 378 However the much-anticipated Shi’ite festival passed

without any major disturbances. 379

In order to lessen further tensions and with anti-British demonstrations

rumoured for 3 September, the Administration announced on 30 August the

suspension of the Penal Code until further notice. This, according to Gault, helped to

ease tensions and no disturbances were reported. However intelligence reports

that reached the Agency testified to the possibility of the HEC issuing a new circular

calling upon the Ruler once again to meet their demands. Gault also predicted the

possibility of demonstrations erupting following Belgrave’s return in late

September. 380

After matters settled in Bahrain, Burrows analysed the situation and wrote:

‘In effect we are now paying for the thirty odd years of Sir Charles Belgrave’s

benevolent despotism in Bahrain’. He continued:

377 TNA, FO 371/114587, British Embassy in Cairo to Residency, 27 August 1955.
378 TNA, FO 371/114587, Gault to FO, 27 August 1955.
379 TNA, FO 1016/387, Gault to FO, 29 August 1955.
380 TNA, FO 1016/387, Gault to FO, 1 September 1955.

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