Monday, July 31, 2006

Prescott Sued in Sex Harrassment Claim

As John Prescott recovers from his arduous weekend away he will have arrived back to find another little problem overshadowing his imminent takeover of the country. Ulster journalist Tricia McDaid has filed a claim of sexual harrassment against him, following her allegations in the Mail on Sunday a few months ago. The Belfast Telegraph has the story HERE and Guido has the lurid details HERE. Prescott's adviser describes rhe allegations as 'fantasy from beginning to end'. I'm sure Tracey Temple, Sarah Bissett Scott and Linda McDougall would testify that Mr Prescott's behaviour has been proper at all times. Yes indeedy.

UPDATE: A reader alerts me to this recent finding from the Press Complaints Commission...

Complaint:
Ms Sarah Bissett Scott of Hertfordshire complained that articles in several newspapers including the Daily Telegraph describing an alleged relationship between her and John Prescott were inaccurate in a large number of respects and used misleading terminology. She also said that some articles had misquoted her.
Resolution:
The matter was resolved when the newspaper noted the complainant's position as being: that there was no affair between her and Mr Prescott, that she was never his mistress, and she has neither taken nor been offered any advantage for herself, her professional or political standing nor for her business in this matter; and that reports that she “claimed to have had an affair with Mr Prescott” are untrue. The newspapers agreed to place a warning on their internal databases to the effect that a complaint to the PCC had been made and that details of the complaint could be found in the legal department, managing editor’s office or elsewhere.


23 comments:

Anonymous said...

What odds that he'll claim Legal Aid?
Or will he do a Blunkett and get Departmental legal advisors to 'clarify' matters during their lunch break?

strapworld said...

Bags front seat in the High Court. remember the standard of proof required in civil cases Prescott! the red light (sorry) must be flashing.

Time to go.

Guido Fawkes said...

You forget Mrs Austin Mitchell and a few others.

Anonymous said...

In all fairness, Iain, this is old news. This writ was first reported in Mail on Sunday on July 16 and even they didn't go that big on it.
Glad to see your Google alert is working though!

Anonymous said...

I know Prezza has been putting it about a bit lately and correct me if I'm wrong but...aren't Linda McDougall and Mrs Austin Mitchell the same person?

Anonymous said...

There's no Legal Aid in the Employment Tribunal BT!

But you are allowed to represent yourself, which might make life interesting for the person transcribing....

Croydonian said...

Linda McDougall *is* Mrs Austin Mitchell.

Anonymous said...

Are you up to date with the Press Complaints Commission resolution of recent complaints of press inaccuracies? See http://www.pcc.org.uk/case/resolved.html?article=NDAyNw==

Guido Fawkes said...

Oops. Goes back to cellar.

So many names to keep track of...

Anonymous said...

Near perfect timing folks!

I wonder what a judge is going to think of this one based UPON THE BALANCE OF PROBABILITIES!

How amny more???

P/S - Like the new colour of your front page Iain - is this the New Tory Colour?

Anonymous said...

Just imagine all this coming out in court:

"He started to kiss me."

"He pulled my dress out, looked down my top and said, ‘What have you got on under there?"

"How come you can’t see anything?"

"I was wearing a body stocking as opposed to a bra and knickers..."

"It was embarrassing for him to have done that in front of so many people"

Anonymous said...

Of course he should be sent to jail.

All along this whole debacle it has been one law for ten shags and another law for joe public.

Anonymous said...

Agree - what does it say of Mitchell?
When this and other stories first broke, Mitchell was interviewed on TV, and his defence of Prescott was along the lines of "He should keep his job because he is the representative in Cabinet of the working class".
Condescending b*****d !

AnyonebutBlair said...

yes prezza is scum, but exactly what losses and consequential damages has Tricia suffered? She's hoping for a big payday, and hre lawyers' are hoping the writ will force Prezza and the ex-ODPM to settle out of court. It's time for another good laught at the fat oaf though. He's now in charge at a time of international crisis and instability - it makes me sleep soundly in bed thinking how Prezza will exercise his judgment and integrity in the role as temporary-PM. Not

Anonymous said...

Prescott is not working class.

He is a snobbish, arrogant, drunken, stinking sexist lout.

Anonymous said...

Geoffrey,
I fear you're being too kind

Anonymous said...

Another compensation bandwagon jumper who will be paid off...how does Lady McDaid of McDaidn't sound?

Anonymous said...

Yes, Prescott is not himself typical working class, but he cleverly fulfills the stereotype of "working class" that the middle class controllers of New Labour have in their minds, a skill which he can use for advancement. He is sort of Tony's bad boy fetch - a bit like the more sinister types Al Pacino sends for in Godfather 2 to carry out the tasks his education and poise would prevent.

Anonymous said...

That's your opinion Iain and you're welcome and it could be put that I like a lady oh yes but if that's the level and you know John I've had this all before were we get down in the gutter with the Tory press you know they make money out of that and it would never be better with the Tories they've only one opinion and that's to crush the NHS and stop changing the bloody subject John bloody Humphries that if that lady or ladies wanted I mean all I did was give them now that's a lie and you can say that but Labour needs me and if Tony chooses to go well that's up to him let's just say it will be very soon and shortly after that there will be a prime minister and of course it can't be Gordon that bloody man Mandelson let's call him Peter I mean for Gods sake Peter he did it the swine put me in all this bother about women I mean it would be worse with the Tories and that's all I have to say on the matter Jeremy bloody hell are you recording

Anonymous said...

Actually the first court case against Prezza will be a class action by the North of England which is suing him for being an embarrassment to all northerners.

Anonymous said...

Iain, why do you think this rank Merseysider had to go as far as it is possible to go across England in the Moscow direction in order to get elected?

As for his conduct with Ms McDougal, I gather that he was just trying to sift her lumps to restore a bit of HomePride.

Anonymous said...

knowledge is power
If he is the only representative of the working class in the cabinet. What does this say about CLASSLESS Britain in 2006?

After all the money spent on the state education system over the last 60 years, to help the working classes up the slippery slope of life and John Prescot is the ONLY prize even the LABOUR party have come up with.

Truly incredible.

Anonymous said...

Is Prescott not supposed to be looking after the country while Blair is in the States?

Hull Daily Mail are reporting he was spotted in Barcelona yesterday.