John Freeman British politician

Major John Horace Freeman (19 February 1915 – 20 December 2014) was a versatile British figure known for his roles in politics, diplomacy, journalism, and the military. Born in London, he joined the Labour Party as a student and later studied at Oxford. Before WWII, he worked in advertising. During the war, Freeman served with distinction in various theaters, including North Africa and Italy, rising through the ranks to become a brigade major under Bernard Montgomery, who praised him highly. He was awarded an MBE in 1943. After the war, he became Labour MP for Watford from 1945 to 1955 but resigned over disagreements regarding the National Health Service. Freeman then转向 journalism and broadcasting, presenting shows like Panorama and Face to Face, and editing *The New Statesman*. In diplomacy, he served as High Commissioner to India under Harold Wilson and later as Ambassador to the United States from 1969 to 1971. Despite tensions arising from Richard Nixon's election, Freeman and Nixon became friends. Freeman also developed a passion for American football, supporting the Washington Redskins. Post-diplomacy, he worked in television until his retirement in 1984, criticising government broadcasting policies and aligning with deregulatory views associated with Margaret Thatcher. Later, he taught at UC Davis and was an honorary fellow of Oxford. Freeman commentated on bowls for Granada Television before retiring to a care home in London, where he lived until his death at 99. Freeman's long life spanned multiple careers, leaving a significant mark on politics, media, and diplomacy. He ...