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The Board of Enquiry’s report was made public on the afternoon of 8 June.

No immediate trouble was reported as a result of the report’s issue. The NUC sent a

letter to the Ruler informing him that they would not attend the scheduled meeting

due on 9 June, but did not explain whether further meetings were expected to take

place. 690 Burrows explained that the NUC’s decision to discontinue negotiations

with the Ruler was decided on 7 June prior to the issue of the Board of Enquiry’s

report. The intention behind suspending negotiations was to force the Government

to accept their proposals regarding the Administration Council, only then would

discussions resume. 691 The main objection of the NUC to the Council centered upon

the idea that its members would, at the same time be representing other

government departments bringing into question transparency issues when

evaluating these departments. 692

The Board of Enquiry’s report offered further details about the events that

had unfolded in March. As to the origins of disturbances on 11 March the account

laid the blame on a trivial dispute between a vegetable-seller and an inspector. The

argument started between 9.30 am to 10.00 am. The vegetable-seller failed to come

forward to present his testimony. The quarrel escalated when a policeman of

Yemeni origin interfered. The policeman told the enquiry that he had been struck

by the seller and had slapped him back. Crowds gathered at the scene and that

prompted the policeman and three others on duty in the market to seek refuge at

690 TNA, FO 1016/467, Burrows to FO, 10 June 1956.
691 TNA, FO 1016/467, Burrows to FO, 8 June 1956; and also in TNA, FO 371/120573, Burrows to FO,
8 June 1956.
692 TNA, FO 371/120545, Translation of Note dated the 27.3.1956, submitted by the Committee of
National Unity, to His Highness the Ruler of Bahrain, 27 March 1956.

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