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06/07/2006
Prescott rejects calls to quit as Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has stressed that he will not resign from his post, amid increasing pressure over his meetings with a US billionaire who wants to turn the Millennium Dome into a super-casino.
The row centred on the revelation that Mr Prescott had stayed at the ranch of Philip Anschutz - who owns the Millennium Dome - in July last year and had also met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.
Mr Prescott did not declare the visit in the Register of Members' Interests, claiming that he was on official business at the time. However, he has now declared the stay on the register.
An inquiry has been launched by Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer, following a complaint by the Conservatives.
On Wednesday, Sports Minister Richard Caborn said that Mr Prescott had no role in the official policy on casinos.
However, according to information in papers published by 'The Guardian', Mr Prescott's office received updates on the Millennium Dome and the casino application.
The information showed that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was aware that the granting of a casino at the dome was a "central feature" and "key plank" of Mr Anschutz's company AEG's business strategy.
The information also showed that officials from the ODPM pressed Culture ministers to meet senior executives at Mr Anschutz's company.
However, speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Prescott said that he had separated himself from any planning decisions regarding the Dome. He said: "I was not involved in it, didn't even know about it until I read it in the press and totally reject any idea that I expressed any pressure whatsoever."
Regarding his stay at the ranch, Mr Prescott said that he had watched many cowboy films when he was young and had wanted to see a working cattle ranch for himself.
He has also insisted that he will not be quitting his post.
Mr Prescott has been under increasing pressure to resign as Deputy Prime Minister, following revelations earlier this year that he had an affair with his diary secretary. He was stripped of his ministerial duties following this year's local elections, but, controversially, was still allowed to retain his minister's salary.
Further rumours regarding other extramarital affairs have also been circulating on the internet. However, Mr Prescott refused to comment on the rumours, acknowledging that there has been a "media storm" against him in recent months. He said: "They don't like me and to be honest, I don't like them."
(KMcA)
The row centred on the revelation that Mr Prescott had stayed at the ranch of Philip Anschutz - who owns the Millennium Dome - in July last year and had also met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.
Mr Prescott did not declare the visit in the Register of Members' Interests, claiming that he was on official business at the time. However, he has now declared the stay on the register.
An inquiry has been launched by Standards Commissioner Sir Philip Mawer, following a complaint by the Conservatives.
On Wednesday, Sports Minister Richard Caborn said that Mr Prescott had no role in the official policy on casinos.
However, according to information in papers published by 'The Guardian', Mr Prescott's office received updates on the Millennium Dome and the casino application.
The information showed that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was aware that the granting of a casino at the dome was a "central feature" and "key plank" of Mr Anschutz's company AEG's business strategy.
The information also showed that officials from the ODPM pressed Culture ministers to meet senior executives at Mr Anschutz's company.
However, speaking on BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme, Mr Prescott said that he had separated himself from any planning decisions regarding the Dome. He said: "I was not involved in it, didn't even know about it until I read it in the press and totally reject any idea that I expressed any pressure whatsoever."
Regarding his stay at the ranch, Mr Prescott said that he had watched many cowboy films when he was young and had wanted to see a working cattle ranch for himself.
He has also insisted that he will not be quitting his post.
Mr Prescott has been under increasing pressure to resign as Deputy Prime Minister, following revelations earlier this year that he had an affair with his diary secretary. He was stripped of his ministerial duties following this year's local elections, but, controversially, was still allowed to retain his minister's salary.
Further rumours regarding other extramarital affairs have also been circulating on the internet. However, Mr Prescott refused to comment on the rumours, acknowledging that there has been a "media storm" against him in recent months. He said: "They don't like me and to be honest, I don't like them."
(KMcA)
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05 July 2006
Prescott faces inquiry over US ranch stay
An inquiry has been launched into Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's stay at the ranch of a US billionaire involved in a bid to turn the Millennium Dome into a supercasino. It has emerged that Mr Prescott stayed at the Philip Anschutz's ranch in July last year and it is also believed that he met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.
Prescott faces inquiry over US ranch stay
An inquiry has been launched into Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's stay at the ranch of a US billionaire involved in a bid to turn the Millennium Dome into a supercasino. It has emerged that Mr Prescott stayed at the Philip Anschutz's ranch in July last year and it is also believed that he met with the American tycoon on seven other occasions.
07 July 2006
Prescott under pressure over further claims
The Deputy Prime Minister is coming under increasing pressure to resign amid further claims that his office was involved in assisting a billionaire's bid to open a super-casino in the Millennium Dome.
Prescott under pressure over further claims
The Deputy Prime Minister is coming under increasing pressure to resign amid further claims that his office was involved in assisting a billionaire's bid to open a super-casino in the Millennium Dome.
02 June 2006
Johnson expresses interest in Prescott job
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has expressed an interest in taking over the post of Labour Deputy Leader from John Prescott. In an interview with GMTV's Sunday Programme, Mr Johnson said that he hoped that Mr Prescott would remain in the post of deputy leader.
Johnson expresses interest in Prescott job
Education Secretary Alan Johnson has expressed an interest in taking over the post of Labour Deputy Leader from John Prescott. In an interview with GMTV's Sunday Programme, Mr Johnson said that he hoped that Mr Prescott would remain in the post of deputy leader.
01 June 2006
Prescott surrenders Dorneywood retreat
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has given up his grace-and-favour home, Dorneywood, it has been announced. Mr Prescott has been heavily criticised for keeping Dorneywood, after he was stripped of his ministerial duties in last month's Cabinet reshuffle.
Prescott surrenders Dorneywood retreat
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has given up his grace-and-favour home, Dorneywood, it has been announced. Mr Prescott has been heavily criticised for keeping Dorneywood, after he was stripped of his ministerial duties in last month's Cabinet reshuffle.
30 May 2006
Prescott faces increasing pressure to resign
Beleaguered Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is continuing to face increasing calls to resign. Mr Prescott, who is running the country this week while Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday, faced more controversy when photographs of him playing croquet at his country home on the day he took over from Mr Blair were published.
Prescott faces increasing pressure to resign
Beleaguered Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is continuing to face increasing calls to resign. Mr Prescott, who is running the country this week while Prime Minister Tony Blair is on holiday, faced more controversy when photographs of him playing croquet at his country home on the day he took over from Mr Blair were published.
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