Thorpe Witness Under Fierce Fire (Press, 2 December 1978)

On 2 December 1978, the court proceedings involving former Liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe and Norman Scott, a former male model, took a dramatic turn as Scott alleged a homosexual affair with Thorpe that dates back to 1961. The courtroom was marked by intense cross-examination led by Thorpe’s lawyer, Sir David Napley, who probed Scott about his past experiences and emotional state. Scott, who is 38 years old, voiced his frustration during the questioning, passionately declaring, “You are trying to rile me. I am not here on trial, you know. I am here because of that man who has tried to destroy me over a period of years.” He insisted he would not be destroyed by the allegations levied against him. The cross-examination revealed layers of Scott's troubled childhood and illness, leading to moments of pathos as he described his feelings of frustration and self-pity. However, it also became farcical when discussions shifted to Thorpe’s physical attributes, including questions about whether he had warts under his arms. In a surprising turn during the proceedings, Scott suggested a personal examination of Thorpe to prove their relationship, claiming he had intimate knowledge that could not be known without having slept with him. Scott specifically mentioned, “It is just that Mr Thorpe without his clothes on has warts or nodules under his arm,” and noted that “his spinal column curves,” prompting laughter from one of Thorpe’s co-defendants, businessman John le Mesurier. Thorpe himself remained composed, even smiling, while his wife, Marion, observed from the public gallery. Thorpe, now 49, is facing serious accusations along with three co-defendants, as they are charged with plotting to kill Scott in an effort to silence him regarding his claims of the alleged affair. These charges stem from a conspiracy to murder, with Thorpe also facing an additional charge of incitement to murder. The Minehead Magistrates are currently responsible for deciding whether the four men should face trial for these grave charges. The atmosphere of the courtroom captured a blend of drama, emotional intensity, and absurdity, encapsulating the bizarre nature of the events unfolding due to Scott's allegations against a prominent political figure in Britain.

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