Thorpe ‘panicked’ (Press, 23 November 1978)

On 23 November 1978, significant proceedings were taking place at Minehead Magistrate’s Court regarding former British Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe, who was facing serious allegations related to a homosexual affair and an alleged murder conspiracy. The case hinged on the testimony of Peter Bessell, a former Liberal MP, who claimed that Thorpe had been in a state of panic after a male model, Norman Scott, publicly revealed their past relationship. The court was deliberating whether Thorpe and three other men should stand trial for conspiring to murder Scott. Thorpe, 49, faced accusations that a hitman had been hired to kill Scott in 1975. This plot was reportedly thwarted when the gunman, either due to a malfunction or hesitation, shot only Scott's dog, named Rinka. Bessell testified that he had learned of Thorpe discussing the murder of Scott as early as 1969 during a secret meeting in the House of Commons. The allegations escalated when Bessell recounted a visit from David Holmes, Thorpe's co-defendant and former Liberal Party deputy treasurer, who had revealed details about the attempted murder and blackmail concerning Scott. Bessell asserted that Holmes had initially indicated that Scott was blackmailing airline pilot Andrew Newton who had been involved in the shooting of the dog. However, Bessell contended he was never blackmailed by Scott himself. The narrative took a critical turn when Scott, during court proceedings for a minor Social Security offence, publicly declared his relationship with Thorpe, prompting Thorpe to reach out to Bessell for guidance on handling the situation. During this correspondence, Thorpe expressed desperation, seeking to control the repercussions of Scott's disclosure. Bessell recounted urging Thorpe to publicly deny any claims of blackmail from Scott, to which Thorpe reacted with evident anxiety. Bessell indicated that Thorpe was aware of the potential fallout from such a scandal, referencing the historical case of playwright Oscar Wilde, who faced severe consequences after suing over allegations of homosexuality. Bessell claimed that the gravity of the situation took a toll on Thorpe, who appeared depressed and fearful of the implications of the affair becoming public knowledge. The court hearings were anticipated to reveal further complexities surrounding the accusations against Thorpe and the potential ramifications for a political figure amidst the raging scandal. The proceedings also underscored the challenges and dangers of political life intersecting with personal matters, especially in the context of the prevailing attitudes towards homosexuality during that period.

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