Thorpe Murder-plot Trial Starts (Press, 21 November 1978)

A court in Minehead, Somerset is set to hear allegations this week regarding Jeremy Thorpe, the former leader of the British Liberal Party, who is accused of being involved in a conspiracy to murder Norman Scott, a former male model. Thorpe, aged 49 and the Member of Parliament for North Devon, faces charges alongside three businessmen: David Holmes, George Deakin, and John le Mesurier. The committal proceedings are expected to attract significant media attention, with 31 press representatives issued special passes to attend, amidst 140 applications received for access to the courtroom. The proceedings will be limited in terms of reporting, as evidence presented in the lower court will not be available for publication unless the defendants request the lifting of reporting restrictions. The prosecuting counsel, Mr Peter Taylor, Q.C., will seek to have the defendants committed to a Crown court for trial before a judge and jury. The court will hear from at least ten witnesses for the prosecution, and the magistrates will determine whether there is sufficient evidence for a case to answer. The hearing is anticipated to last between two to three weeks. Thorpe and his co-defendants face serious charges including conspiracy to murder and unlawful incitement to kill Scott. It is likely they will reserve their rights to defend themselves, although the prosecution witnesses will be subject to cross-examination by their legal representatives. The case has its roots in a 1975 incident when Andrew Newton, a former airline pilot, shot Scott's dog. Allegations emerged that Newton was allegedly paid by a senior Liberal Party supporter to carry out the act as a means to silence Scott, who had claimed to have had a homosexual relationship with Thorpe during the early 1960s—claims that Thorpe has consistently denied. Newton was convicted in March 1976 for shooting the dog and for gun possession with intent to endanger life. The legal proceedings against Thorpe and the others commenced on 4 August 1978 when Detective-Chief Superintendent Michael Chalies charged them. They were remanded on bail of £5,000 each until these committal proceedings began. Conspiracy to murder can lead to a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, while incitement to murder carries a similar penalty. Thorpe, who served as leader of the Liberal Party from 1967 until 1976, is a Privy Councillor and led the party to its largest post-war electoral success in the February 1974 General Election, securing 14 parliamentary seats. The unfolding events are central to both legal and media scrutiny in the UK.

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