Menu
05/07/2006
Prescott faces inquiry over US ranch stay
An inquiry has been launched into Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's stay at the ranch of a US billionaire involved in a bid to turn the Millennium Dome into a supercasino.
It has emerged that Mr Prescott stayed at the Philip Anschutz's ranch in July last year and it is also believed that he met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.
Mr Anschutz owns the Millennium Dome which is among the short-listed sites for the location of a supercasino.
Mr Prescott did not declare the visit in the Register of Members' Interests, claiming that he was on official business at the time. However, he has now agreed to enter the stay on the register.
The inquiry, by Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer, has been launched following a complaint by the Conservatives.
The Ministerial Code states that: "No minister should accept gifts, hospitality or services from anyone which would, or might appear to, place him or her under an obligation."
A statement from Downing Street said that Prime Minister Tony Blair has "full confidence" in Mr Prescott, while Sports Minister Richard Caborn said that Mr Prescott had no role in the official policy on casinos.
However, Liberal Democrat culture spokesperson Don Foster said: "It is ludicrous to say that John Prescott was not involved in the planning process for casinos.
"There were numerous links between Mr Prescott's department and the casino legislation. John Prescott chaired the Domestic Affairs Cabinet Committee, with links to the independent advisory panel recommending the location of new casinos to the government. The ODPM was also responsible for establishing a new planning category for casinos and in its report makes detailed comments on the regeneration benefits of casinos.
"It is clear that there are still serious questions that require full and frank answers from Mr Prescott."
The Conservatives have called for a full Commons statement, making clear John Prescott's precise role over casinos. Shadow Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport Hugo Swire said: "It is clear that Mr Prescott has a direct and personal involvement, but despite his stay at the 32,000 acre home of an American billionaire, he did not declare his interests to the Commons. Mr Prescott's wheeling and dealing causes further concern that Labour's determination to relax gambling laws is being driven by big business, not the public interest."
(KMcA/SP)
It has emerged that Mr Prescott stayed at the Philip Anschutz's ranch in July last year and it is also believed that he met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.
Mr Anschutz owns the Millennium Dome which is among the short-listed sites for the location of a supercasino.
Mr Prescott did not declare the visit in the Register of Members' Interests, claiming that he was on official business at the time. However, he has now agreed to enter the stay on the register.
The inquiry, by Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer, has been launched following a complaint by the Conservatives.
The Ministerial Code states that: "No minister should accept gifts, hospitality or services from anyone which would, or might appear to, place him or her under an obligation."
A statement from Downing Street said that Prime Minister Tony Blair has "full confidence" in Mr Prescott, while Sports Minister Richard Caborn said that Mr Prescott had no role in the official policy on casinos.
However, Liberal Democrat culture spokesperson Don Foster said: "It is ludicrous to say that John Prescott was not involved in the planning process for casinos.
"There were numerous links between Mr Prescott's department and the casino legislation. John Prescott chaired the Domestic Affairs Cabinet Committee, with links to the independent advisory panel recommending the location of new casinos to the government. The ODPM was also responsible for establishing a new planning category for casinos and in its report makes detailed comments on the regeneration benefits of casinos.
"It is clear that there are still serious questions that require full and frank answers from Mr Prescott."
The Conservatives have called for a full Commons statement, making clear John Prescott's precise role over casinos. Shadow Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport Hugo Swire said: "It is clear that Mr Prescott has a direct and personal involvement, but despite his stay at the 32,000 acre home of an American billionaire, he did not declare his interests to the Commons. Mr Prescott's wheeling and dealing causes further concern that Labour's determination to relax gambling laws is being driven by big business, not the public interest."
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 July 2006
Prescott rejects calls to quit as Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has stressed that he will not resign from his post, amid increasing pressure over his meetings with a US billionaire who wants to turn the Millennium Dome into a super-casino.
Prescott rejects calls to quit as Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has stressed that he will not resign from his post, amid increasing pressure over his meetings with a US billionaire who wants to turn the Millennium Dome into a super-casino.
21 April 2008
Prescott Speaks Of Bulimia Pain
The former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has revealed that he suffered from an eating disorder for two decades. Mr Prescott, 69, said that he suffered from bulimia nervosa from the 1980s when he was in Labour's shadow cabinet. He made the announcement in support of an NHS campaign to raise awareness of eating disorders.
Prescott Speaks Of Bulimia Pain
The former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has revealed that he suffered from an eating disorder for two decades. Mr Prescott, 69, said that he suffered from bulimia nervosa from the 1980s when he was in Labour's shadow cabinet. He made the announcement in support of an NHS campaign to raise awareness of eating disorders.
01 June 2006
Prescott surrenders Dorneywood retreat
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has given up his grace-and-favour home, Dorneywood, it has been announced. Mr Prescott has been heavily criticised for keeping Dorneywood, after he was stripped of his ministerial duties in last month's Cabinet reshuffle.
Prescott surrenders Dorneywood retreat
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has given up his grace-and-favour home, Dorneywood, it has been announced. Mr Prescott has been heavily criticised for keeping Dorneywood, after he was stripped of his ministerial duties in last month's Cabinet reshuffle.
30 May 2006
Prescott faces increasing pressure to resign
Beleaguered Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is continuing to face increasing calls to resign. Mr Prescott, who is running the country this week while Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday, faced more controversy when photographs of him playing croquet at his country home on the day he took over from Mr Blair were published.
Prescott faces increasing pressure to resign
Beleaguered Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is continuing to face increasing calls to resign. Mr Prescott, who is running the country this week while Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday, faced more controversy when photographs of him playing croquet at his country home on the day he took over from Mr Blair were published.
06 June 2003
Prescott puts diplomacy on the long finger
John Prescott, the man who nominally keeps his hand on the tiller of Great Britain plc when Tony Blair is out of the country, raised a hand – and two fingers – in salute of the press pack outside Downing Street yesterday.
Prescott puts diplomacy on the long finger
John Prescott, the man who nominally keeps his hand on the tiller of Great Britain plc when Tony Blair is out of the country, raised a hand – and two fingers – in salute of the press pack outside Downing Street yesterday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
