Allegation Of Second Thorpe Murder Plot Startles... (Press, 17 May 1979)

On 17 May 1979, the Old Bailey court in London was taken aback by a significant allegation regarding former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe, who is currently on trial for allegedly plotting the murder of a male model named Norman Scott. Scott claims he and Thorpe were once homosexual lovers, and the prosecution argues that Thorpe sought to silence him. During the trial, Thorpe's lawyer, Mr George Carman, Q.C., startled the court by revealing a claim that Thorpe may have proposed a second murder as well, specifically a man named Hetherington, to Peter Bessell, a key prosecution witness and former Liberal MP. While cross-examining Bessell, Carman managed to extract an admission that he had indeed made such a statement before, capturing the attention of the court and drawing laughter from those present, including Thorpe himself. The judge, Sir Joseph Cantley, queried the identity of the individual involved in this second plot. The defence hinted that further details would be revealed later in the trial. The prosecution claims that an airline pilot was hired to carry out the murder of Scott, while Carman further suggested that Bessell had been proposed by Thorpe himself as an assassin for the supposed second plot. Drawing on literary references, Carman quoted Oscar Wilde to underline the absurdity of two murder schemes, indicating that having two such plots might suggest carelessness. The proceedings also turned dramatic as Carman recalled Bessell's testimony concerning a bizarre fake murder scheme reportedly staged by Bessell and Thorpe's co-defendant, David Holmes. This plan was allegedly designed to dissuade Thorpe from attempting to kill Scott by creating the illusion of a failed murder attempt. Bessell was accused of providing inconsistent accounts of this incident to various journalists and while testifying in court. Although he acknowledged some confusion, he denied intentionally lying. Bessell stated he had tried to validate claims about Thorpe's supposed ties to a South African conspiracy to undermine the Liberal Party. He denied any intention to make money from the case, as well as allegations regarding his aspirations to access the estate of the murdered Romanov family. Despite his controversial background, involving his past as a conscientious objector and subsequent ventures in various occupations, Bessell maintains his decision to testify is rooted in honesty rather than financial motivations. Thorpe has pleaded not guilty to charges of incitement and conspiracy to murder, which could result in a sentence of up to ten years. His co-defendants, including Holmes, John Le Mesurier, and George Deakin, have similarly denied the conspiracy charges related to the murder plot. The trial continues to unfold with further revelations expected as the defence presents its case.

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