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.

The row centred on the revelation that Mr Prescott had stayed at the ranch of Philip Anschutz - who owns the Millennium Dome - in July last year and had also met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.

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 declared the stay on the register.

An inquiry has been launched by Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer, following a complaint by the Conservatives.

On Wednesday, Sports Minister Richard Caborn said that Mr Prescott had no role in the official policy on casinos.

However, according to information in papers published by 'The Guardian', Mr Prescott's office received updates on the Millennium Dome and the casino application.

The information showed that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was aware that the granting of a casino at the dome was a "central feature" and "key plank" of Mr Anschutz's company AEG's business strategy.

The information also showed that officials from the ODPM pressed Culture ministers to meet senior executives at Mr Anschutz's company.

However, speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Prescott said that he had separated himself from any planning decisions regarding the Dome. He said: "I was not involved in it, didn't even know about it until I read it in the press and totally reject any idea that I expressed any pressure whatsoever."

Regarding his stay at the ranch, Mr Prescott said that he had watched many cowboy films when he was young and had wanted to see a working cattle ranch for himself.

He has also insisted that he will not be quitting his post.

Mr Prescott has been under increasing pressure to resign as Deputy Prime Minister, following revelations earlier this year that he had an affair with his diary secretary. He was stripped of his ministerial duties following this year's local elections, but, controversially, was still allowed to retain his minister's salary.

Further rumours regarding other extramarital affairs have also been circulating on the internet. However, Mr Prescott refused to comment on the rumours, acknowledging that there has been a "media storm" against him in recent months. He said: "They don't like me and to be honest, I don't like them."

(KMcA)