Thorpe’s ‘ex-lover’ To Tell Court Of Homosexual... (Press, 30 November 1978)
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Summary: Thorpe’s ‘ex-lover’ To Tell Court Of Homosexual... (Press, 30 November 1978)
On 30 November 1978, Jeremy Thorpe, the former leader of the British Liberal Party, was formally accused in the Magistrate’s Court at Minehead of conspiring to murder Norman Scott, a man who claims to have had a homosexual affair with Thorpe in the early 1960s. Scott, who is now 38 and lives as a semi-recluse caring for horses in a remote cottage, was expected to testify about their past relationship. Thorpe, who denies both the affair and the murder conspiracy, stated that he has not seen Scott for approximately 15 years. The prosecution has presented evidence that supports Scott's allegations of an affair and claims that Thorpe, along with three accomplices—David Holmes, John le Mesurier, and George Deakin—hired airline pilot Andrew Newton for £10,000 to eliminate Scott. Newton has testified that instead of carrying out the murder, he shot and killed Scott's Great Dane on a foggy night in October 1975 on a road near Minehead. During the proceedings, Scott was present but did not take the stand to testify. The case has garnered significant media interest, which has reportedly been a financial opportunity for Newton; he has claimed to have received over £10,000 from various media outlets for his story. Additionally, he spoke of attempts on his life and expressed concerns that these incidents were orchestrated to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed during his trial relating to the dog shooting. The courtroom atmosphere has been tense, with Newton acknowledging that the attention surrounding the case has made it a "little pot of gold" for him, highlighting the financial gains from selling his story. Despite facing accusations, all four men involved in the conspiracy to murder have denied the charges. In addition, Thorpe faces a further charge of incitement to murder against Holmes. This high-profile case shines a light on issues of sexuality, politics, and the lengths individuals may go to conceal relationships and past indiscretions. The proceedings are set against the backdrop of emerging social attitudes towards homosexuality during that era, making the trial not only a pivotal moment for Thorpe’s political career but also a significant cultural event in Britain.
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