Prescott rejects corruption claims
John Prescott today challenged his critics to prove he had done anything wrong in his meetings with the American billionaire hoping to build Britain’s first super-casino.
The deputy prime minister said Conservative MP Michael Gove’s accusation that staying at Philip Anschutz’s Colorado ranch last summer and accepting a gift of a cowboy outfit was corrupt was a “wild charge” and rejected it outright.
During questions in the Commons, Mr Gove asked him if he had taken legal advice “as to whether he’s in breach of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and report back on how government lawyers view his receipt of gifts and hospitality from Mr Anschutz”.
Mr Prescott replied: “These are typical wild charges.I do not believe any acts of corruption have been committed and if he has any evidence I suggest he produce it.”
He added: “Members have to make a serious judgment when it comes to accusations of corruption – there is no evidence and those charges shouldn’t be thrown around in this House, although they are in the press. I totally reject that.
“Over the past 35 years I have never been employed in any other job, nor have I received payment from other bodies, but simply carried out my job as a member of parliament. Can they honestly say that on the other side?”
He said his meetings with Mr Anschutz were “right and proper” given that the American’s firm owns the dome and as such would be playing a major part in the regeneration of east London, including the creation of thousands of homes and jobs.
And in the face of continuing allegations that the discussions with the man bidding for Britain’s first regional casino could mean he was in breach of the ministerial code, Mr Prescott reiterated his insistence that he has nothing to do with casino policy.
“As for my meetings with Mr Anschutz.I am quite prepared to meet people who provide jobs and investment of that kind and it was quite right,” he said.
Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle appeared to offer his support to Mr Prescott, by saying it was “quite right” that the deputy prime minister had no influence on casino policy – but then asked if he could support his constituency’s bid for the supercasino.
“Let me assure him I am not involved in any of these decisions. This House made the decision that an independent commission would decide how many casinos there would be and where they are placed.every one of us [MPs] will be involved,” Mr Prescott replied.
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable then asked him whether he was aware that the potential value of a casino license was £250 million, to which Mr Prescott only replied that he was “aware there are major regeneration benefits”.
However, Labour MPs defended Mr Prescott – David Winnick said the party “totally reject innuendos that he is somehow corrupt or dishonest; whatever mistakes here or there, we know the contributions he has made to the government and party over many years”.
Clive Efford MP added: “Whether there is a casino or not, can I congratulate the work my right honourable friend is having on the regeneration of the Greenwich peninsula.
“Can I congratulate him on the world he has done to bring about the regeneration and the jobs it will bring to my constituents.”
