Lib Dem MP accuses Prescott of taking tycoon's gifts

1.27.16pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 9th Jul 2006

Prescott must go

The Metropolitan Police have been asked to investigate whether John Prescott broke anti-corruption laws when he accepted an invitation to stay with Philip Anschutz, the billionaire owner of the Millennium Dome. Norman Baker, the sleaze-busting Liberal Democrat MP, wrote to The Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, John Yates, asking him to investigate whether John Prescott broke anti-corruption laws when he accepted an invitation to stay with Philip Anschutz, the billionaire owner of the Millennium Dome.

Mr Yates, who is already conducting an investigation into the cash-for-honours affair, received the formal request on Saturday 8th July. Senior anti-fraud lawyers believe that Mr Prescott may have breached the terms of the Act, which says that ministers should not accept hospitality from a person or an organisation that has obtained or is trying to obtain an official contract. They suspect Mr Prescott may have been guilty of a conflict of interest by accepting an invitation to stay at Mr Anschutz's Colorado ranch last year.

Newspapers also allege that Mr Prescott received gifts from Mr Anschutz during his stay. There are claims that he accepted a pair of tooled leather cowboy boots, a Stetson and a silver-buckled belt bearing the initials "JP". Norman Baker said, "There is a prima facie case that needs to be investigated. I have asked the Met to investigate Mr Prescott and his acceptance of Mr Anschutz's hospitality under anti-corruption laws".

John Prescott has clearly put himself and his civil servants in a position where there is a conflict of interest. The rules are very clear and his relationship with an American billionaire with a government contract makes his position as Deputy Prime Minister untenable.