Colonel Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle MP (?1762-1833), supported by Francis Burdett (1770–1844), proposed a motion respecting certain abuses that had obtained in the disposal of commissions in the British army by the commander in chief, arising from the influence of Mrs Mary Anne Clarke (1776?–1852) over Prince Frederick, duke of York and Albany (1763–1827). The affair became a cause célèbre and resulted in the resignation of the duke of York as commander-in-chief.

See The Times, 28 January 1809.