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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)
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Prescott surrenders Dorneywood retreat
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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.
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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.
02 June 2006
Johnson expresses interest in Prescott job
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has expressed an interest in taking over the post of Labour Deputy Leader from John Prescott. In an interview with GMTV's Sunday Programme, Mr Johnson said that he hoped that Mr Prescott would remain in the post of deputy leader.
Johnson expresses interest in Prescott job
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has expressed an interest in taking over the post of Labour Deputy Leader from John Prescott. In an interview with GMTV's Sunday Programme, Mr Johnson said that he hoped that Mr Prescott would remain in the post of deputy leader.
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