A very English scandal - Jeremy Thorpe
Discussion
I'm really looking forward to this three part drama which starts on BBC on Sunday. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p065sk93
I'm currently reading a fantastic book on the scandal and I find it surreal that a party leader conspired to have his ex-gay lover murdered, paid for using misappropriated party funds, and then tried to brazen it out. I read a biography of Jeremy Thorpe a few years ago, and what interests me is that whilst this was a massive deal when it happened, yet so many people of my generation (born after the trial) are completely unaware of the case. I was telling a friend about the book recently and he thought it was making it up. The press would go into meltdown if it happened today.
Here is the link to the book -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-English-Scandal-Murd...
I'm currently reading a fantastic book on the scandal and I find it surreal that a party leader conspired to have his ex-gay lover murdered, paid for using misappropriated party funds, and then tried to brazen it out. I read a biography of Jeremy Thorpe a few years ago, and what interests me is that whilst this was a massive deal when it happened, yet so many people of my generation (born after the trial) are completely unaware of the case. I was telling a friend about the book recently and he thought it was making it up. The press would go into meltdown if it happened today.
Here is the link to the book -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-English-Scandal-Murd...
Halb said:
I think I've seen this advertised, Hugh Grant?
Looks really good.
Grant can be good taken away from his fop caricature
Spotted, with half an eye, a couple of minutes of the production. HG was incredibly believable, and the makeup was masterly. Looks really good.
Grant can be good taken away from his fop caricature
Agree on him working better outside of his typecast foppish roles. (Gotta say though, he looked quite haggard during the ‘sales pitch’ movie interview.)
ClaphamGT3 said:
It's worth remembering that Thorpe was found not guilty of the charges against him...
It may be worth remebering how quick you jumped to JT's defence.I was going to ask if you were involved in his trial, but then realised that
if you can't see how your comment was a spoiler, then you would hardly be
any use at his trial.
Unless of course, you were part of the prosecution.
Edited by gooner1 on Tuesday 15th May 23:51
MYOB said:
Why is this "worth remembering"?
Because the inference of the OP is that Thorpe was guilty when, in fact, he was tried and found Not Guilty.Whilst Thorpe lacked personal judgement, he did much during his time in politics to promote human rights and to create a more liberal society.
It is telling that, in the 1990s John Major wanted to give him a peerage and the odious hypocrite Paddy Ashdown blocked it
ClaphamGT3 said:
MYOB said:
Why is this "worth remembering"?
Because the inference of the OP is that Thorpe was guilty when, in fact, he was tried and found Not Guilty.Whilst Thorpe lacked personal judgement, he did much during his time in politics to promote human rights and to create a more liberal society.
It is telling that, in the 1990s John Major wanted to give him a peerage and the odious hypocrite Paddy Ashdown blocked it
Certainly worth getting the book though.
ClaphamGT3 said:
Because the inference of the OP is that Thorpe was guilty when, in fact, he was tried and found Not Guilty.
Whilst Thorpe lacked personal judgement, he did much during his time in politics to promote human rights and to create a more liberal society.
It is telling that, in the 1990s John Major wanted to give him a peerage and the odious hypocrite Paddy Ashdown blocked it
He was, although there was criticism afterwards of apparent bias shown by the judge. he judge's summing up was memorably satirised by Peter Cook.Whilst Thorpe lacked personal judgement, he did much during his time in politics to promote human rights and to create a more liberal society.
It is telling that, in the 1990s John Major wanted to give him a peerage and the odious hypocrite Paddy Ashdown blocked it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyos-M48B8U
Dr Jekyll said:
He was, although there was criticism afterwards of apparent bias shown by the judge. he judge's summing up was memorably satirised by Peter Cook.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyos-M48B8U
Not far from the truth in some ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyos-M48B8U
The judge was, many suggested at the time, out of his depth. The most important factor is that Thorpe hired Carmen. If that isn't a plea of guilty I don't know what is.
Derek Smith said:
Dr Jekyll said:
He was, although there was criticism afterwards of apparent bias shown by the judge. he judge's summing up was memorably satirised by Peter Cook.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyos-M48B8U
Not far from the truth in some ways. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyos-M48B8U
The judge was, many suggested at the time, out of his depth. The most important factor is that Thorpe hired Carmen. If that isn't a plea of guilty I don't know what is.
I agree that Carmen very much swung the case in Thorpe's favour; he took the case on a reduced fee in the full knowledge that the publicity would be invaluable to his career prospects.
From what I read, David Steele had a tacit agreement that the party would not pursue Thorpe for the misappropriated party funds (used to pay Scott and the would be hitman Andrew Newton, donated legitimately by Jack Hayward) on the understanding the Thorpe would play no future role in public life, which is why they blocked any appointment to the HOL. In any case, notwithstanding the verdict, it was absolutely clear to those who followed the case (and the evidence) that Thorpe was guilty (not just conspiracy, but also fraud), and I'm not sure a peerage would have been entirely appropriate.
I came across this interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQbRcdQfMb0
such politeness and courtesy
Something missing from today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQbRcdQfMb0
such politeness and courtesy
Something missing from today
techiedave said:
I came across this interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQbRcdQfMb0
such politeness and courtesy
Something missing from today
Good find, I watched this documentary and found it really interesting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQbRcdQfMb0
such politeness and courtesy
Something missing from today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ck9hZGV59Q
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