Following the end of white minority rule and the creation of Zimbabwe, he remained as an MP, but came under pressure from the new government of Robert Mugabe. He was to have been arrested (on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the government) on 10 December 1981, together with the MP for Bulawayo South, but had already left the country.[6] When he returned in January 1982, he briefly re-attended Parliament before learning that the Mugabe government had stationed police around the building to arrest him on sight, Walker fled the country and returned to Britain.[7][8]
Return to Britain
Walker and Andrew Hunter MP on the Croatia–Serbia front line as part of the Monday Club delegation, 12 October 1991
On 10 February 1982, Walker delivered a letter to Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street highlighting the political situation in Zimbabwe.[9] On 29 September 1986, Walker was the guest-of-honour at a Conservative Monday Club Foreign Affairs Committee Dinner at Bailey's Hotel, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, chaired by Richard Stallabrass, who had previously served in Rhodesia. He subsequently joined the Club and joined the Executive Council as membership secretary in 1990. He also chaired the International Monarchist League.[10]
Other activities
Walker was a trustee of the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Relief Fund, a charity that describes itself as assisting "Zimbabwe Rhodesians throughout the world".[11] Walker was introduced as an Ordinary Member onto the Grand Council of the International Monarchist League on 14 March 1990 by Gregory Lauder-Frost (seconded by Lord Sudeley).[10] He administered the International Monarchist League, the Monday Club, and other business activities from an office at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, and resided in the town until his death in January 2024.[12]
Walker was married to Jill Walker (who was born in Rhodesia) and had one son, Trevor Wilfrid.[13] Denis Walker died on 8 January 2024, at the age of 90.[12]
References
^ ab"Walker, Denis". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 10 January 2024.