Thorpe’s ‘black cloud’

Press, 12 May 1979, Page 8

Thorpe’s ‘black cloud’

NZPA-Reuter London i i i Jeremy Thorpe, formerleader of Britain’s Liberal party', said once that murdering his alleged homosexual bedfellow would be “no worse than shooting a sick dog.” a London jury has heard. The remark was ironic, said the prosecutor at his Old Bailey trial on charges of incitement and conspiracy to murder. For, the crown alleges, in 1975 a hired gunman bungled a bid to murder Thorpe’s friend, a male model, Norman Scott. Instead of shooting Mr Scott, he shot his pet Great Dane bitch, Rinka. Thorpe, aged 50, once voted Britain’s most popular politician, and three other men are accused of conspiring to murder Mr Scott. They have all pleaded not guilty to charges that carry sentences of 10 years jail. The jury was read a letter written 10 years before the] shooting incident by Mri Scott to Thorpe's elderly) mother, Ursula. ’ “Through meeting Jeremy; I gave birth to this vice! which is latent in every, man.” it said. , The prosecutor then spoke; lof a meeting between, Thorpe and a friend whoj was then also a Liberal member of Parliament, Mr Peter Bessell. who has been flown to testify at the trial from his present home at Oceanside. California. ’ Mr Peter Taylor, the prosecutor, said Mr Bessell was shown the letter and told by Thorpe that the contents were basically true. Thorpe strenuously _ denies any homosexual affair with Scott. . r . M I Mr Bessell pa:d Mr Scott la weekly retainer during 11967 and' '958. Then, in De--1 cember. 1968. he met Thorpe ' again at r he House of Com-, ■ mons. Thorpe, bv now the l/beral leader, suw the Scott, affair as ‘‘a black cloud; hanging over him. He, thought it would eventually! be publicly exnosed and ruin; his career.” the prosecutor) said.

, Thorpe said: "We have to ! get rid of him.”