Review: A Very English Scandal by John Preston

This is a truly engrossing story of the Jeremy Thorpe scandal by John Preston.

This is obviously before my time; and I had only ever come across Jeremy Thorpe via the BBC Desert Island Discs. George Carman QC briefly discussed the Thorpe trial with Sue Lawley (more later). So, other than that, I really had no idea about his life or his intrigues.

I read the book over two days. It is amazing just how shocking I found this book. I would find something astonishing on a page only to be shocked afresh a chapter later. At times, the book is hysterical. I was chuckling quite a lot. We take it for granted just how much the world has changed since the 1970s. At the end, the book concludes with a sense of sadness and pathos towards these real-life characters who were all casualties of some kind.

Jeremy Thorpe appeared to have been a charismatic rising politician of a major party in British politics. But, he was gay and he seemed to have had a relationship with a sweet and 'cherubic' Norman Scott. It's clear from the outset, this is not a relationship of equals. Thorpe was truly gay at a time when homosexuality was illegal and such 'indiscretions' would make an MP vulnerable to blackmail. In this particular case, it resulted in a trial - at the Old Bailey - with Thorpe being charged with conspiracy to murder Scott. Scott was a troubled younger gay guy. He seemed very innocent and vulnerable and had psychological issues. This makes the latter part of the book (the trial) quite sad to read. He never really had a family, and Thorpe seems to have used him. Also, their first sexual encounter strikes me as little more than rape. He was a drifter who could rarely look after himself; and was often medicated or would ply himself with alcohol. He was a poor soul.

I really enjoyed how Preston takes us through the Parliamentary goings-on to decriminalise homosexuality, the Wolfenden Report and in particular the efforts of the Welsh MP Leo Abse. It's fascinating to read the Parliamentary concerns and worries about homosexuality. Then, Preston takes us through the economic and political issues of the day so the story feels anchored to the 1970s reality - from inflation to the strikes etc. 

Then, there is Peter Bessell. He is an important part of the trio. He was a straight colleague of Thorpe; and had very quickly morphed into a very close confidant and friend. He would go to extraordinary lengths to recover compromising letters from Norman and generally clean-up Thorpe's messes. It was never very clear to me what motivated Bessell to go to such lengths. He may have been committed to the Liberal Party and perhaps towards Thorpe's friendship personally - but it doesn't seem normal and can't get my head around it. Even at his extremity, and after Thorpe had betrayed him, he was still concerned for him. Perhaps it was Thorpe's apparent charisma and forceful personality. Thorpe strikes me as a complete narcissist and crafty manipulator. It's the only explanation for why his wife stood by him.

The highlight of Preston's book is the court case (Part 4). We are introduced to George Carman QC who is representing Thorpe; and the judge, Sir Joseph Cantley. Carman had strategically let slip that Thorpe has 'homosexual tendencies' in the trial. Thorpe would never have made such a confession - but it meant that love letters and former lovers would not testify to his past sexual indiscretions in court. Carman also seemed to have framed Scott as a predator who had taken advantage of Thorpe, as opposed to the other way around. 

The judicial summing up by Cantley was so biased as to be ridiculous. The judge described Norman Scott as 'a crook, a fraud, a sponger, a whiner and a parasite' - and then adding '... but of course, he could still be telling the truth'. The complete fouling and besmearing of Norman and Bessell in the court - regardless of their own personal failings and shortcoming - was an appalling treatment. The judge, it seems, was toadying to Thorpe's social standing and prominence etc. Preston points out that Auberon Waugh and Carman were both surprised at the 'restrained' way Peter Taylor QC had defended the case. Preston also cites a 'Dennis Meighan' whose police statement was apparently doctored to remove Thorpe's name. Another mystery concerns Norman's original early letters which were taken by the police and handed to MI5. We are never told what happened to them. All-in-all, the court proceedings leave you with a bitter aftertaste as justice was not done in court.

A fascinating fast-paced story, both hysterical and sad; and very gripping.