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Prescott Gets Away With Mild Rebuke
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is expected to get away only with a "mild rebuke" July 19 for allegedly breaking parliamentary rules over his stay at the Colorado ranch of casino tycoon Philip Anschutz.
The Commons committee on standards and privileges will be meeting soon hereafter to study a confidential report from Sir Philip Mawer, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, who was tasked to launch an investigation into the Prescott-Anschutz saga.
It has been reported that Sir Mawer has decided the deputy prime minister has not done something so grave that constitutes him having to resign his post, since he promptly registered the visit after the issue became public.
"It is not up to the committee to question Sir Philip's findings - only to decide what to do as a result," said a source with knowledge of the report.
"My guess would be that their judgment will be along the lines of 'small earthquake, not many dead'," the source said when asked how seriously the committee was likely to regard Prescott's failure.
Prescott's spokeswoman said he would not comment on the issue until the committee had published its report. However, she said: "[He] is very clear he has done nothing wrong. He is very relaxed about it."
"Sometimes we all have to judge whether we are doing any favours for our party, our country, or our own reputation. And isn't it time for him to exercise that judgment?" William Hague, the Tory foreign affairs spokesman, said.
"I do not believe there is any act of corruption being committed. And if you have got any evidence, you should provide it - instead of just making the allegations," To this Prescott answered.
Tuesday, 01. 2006
Victor Copeland