The Seventies intercourse scandal that led to a dramatic trial

The story took one more twist in October 1977 when the London Night Information ran the sensational headline, “I Was Employed to Kill Scott.” Contemporary out of jail, Newton recanted his blackmail defence and was now claiming he was paid £5,000 as a part of what the paper described as a “sinister conspiracy involving a number one Liberal supporter”. 9 extra months of police investigation led to Thorpe and three associates being charged with conspiring to homicide Scott. It was dubbed by the press “the trial of the century”. At Thorpe’s request, it was postponed for eight days in order that he might struggle for his parliamentary seat within the Might 1979 normal election. He was closely defeated.  

On the finish of the trial, the choose delivered what BBC Panorama’s Tom Mangold described as “some of the astonishingly partial summing-up speeches ever to a jury”. Mr Justice Cantley stated that as a result of the three major prosecution witnesses had struck profitable offers for promoting their tales to the press upon conviction, their testimonies had been tainted. Bessell, stated the choose, was “a humbug” whereas Newton was “a buffoon, perjurer and virtually actually a fraud”. As for Scott, he was labelled “a criminal, fraud, sponger, whiner and parasite”.  

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In contrast, Thorpe was “a nationwide determine with a really distinguished public document”. Within the choose’s summing up, skewered memorably by the comic Peter Cook dinner, he directed the jury that if there was any cheap doubt that Thorpe deliberate to kill Scott, they need to acquit. The decision was not responsible. Talking later along with his steadfast spouse Marion beside him, Thorpe stated: “I’ve at all times maintained that I used to be harmless of the fees introduced towards me, and the decision of the jury, after a protracted and cautious investigation by them, I regard as completely truthful and an entire vindication.” 

Following the trial, Scott retreated from the limelight. In 2022 on the age of 82, he launched his autobiography, titled An Unintended Icon. As for Thorpe, he retired from public life whereas sustaining his innocence to the top. He died in 2014. In a Guardian interview in 2008, Thorpe mirrored on the affair: “If it occurred now, I believe… the general public can be kinder. Again then they had been very troubled by it. It offended their set of values.”