Murder Case Splits Liberals (Press, 7 August 1978)

On 7 August 1978, the British Liberal Party faced significant internal strife following the decision of its former leader, Jeremy Thorpe, to remain a Member of Parliament despite being charged with conspiracy to murder. Thorpe, aged 49, along with three other individuals, was accused of plotting to kill Norman Scott, a former male model. This marked a serious charge against a sitting member of Parliament, and the political ramifications were considerable. In the wake of these charges, a local party executive meeting expressed support for Thorpe, urging him to stand again as a candidate in the upcoming General Election set for October. However, not all party members shared this sentiment. Influential Liberal MP Cyril Smith indicated that he and other parliamentarians wished to withhold judgment on Thorpe's continuation in the party. Smith noted that discussions had already occurred among various Liberal MPs who expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation, highlighting the potential division within the party. Thorpe, who led the Liberal Party from 1967 until 1976 and was once seen as a promising political figure, was granted bail of £5,000 (approximately $9,000) along with his co-accused, pending their next court appearance on 12 September. Observers have warned that these developments could severely undermine the Liberal Party's prospects in the forthcoming election, especially as the party has a mere 13 members in a 635-seat House of Commons. Pollsters suggested that a decrease in support for the Liberals might benefit the Conservative Party, negatively impacting the ruling Labour Party. The case gained further complexity due to the nature of the allegations against Thorpe. Norman Scott, who claimed to have had a homosexual relationship with Thorpe in the early 1960s, had lived in seclusion in western England. Thorpe has categorically denied these claims, which previously contributed to his stepping down as party leader. The origins of the investigation can be traced back to claims made by Andrew Newton, a British airline pilot, who alleged a murder contract had been put out on Scott. Newton had been convicted earlier for shooting Scott’s dog in 1975, though he initially denied any attempt on Scott's life. After his release from prison, Newton retracted his earlier statements and claimed he had been hired to kill Scott, alleging that Liberal Party backers funded the plot and that he had received £5,000 for his participation. This unfolding story not only poses a crisis for the Liberal Party but also raises broader concerns within British politics, as the outcome of the charges could shift the electoral landscape significantly in the upcoming General Election.

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