Police probe ‘dead hitman’ in Thorpe plot but close case
POLICE who believed a suspect in the Jeremy Thorpe scandal was dead last night revealed they have found him alive – but they said they will not reopen the investigation.
Gwent Police said they had located Andrew Newton in Dorking, Surrey, living under the name Hann Redwin.
The 72-year-old was allegedly hired to kill Norman Scott, the ex-lover of former Liberal leader Thorpe.
Police defended their initial conclusion that he was dead, insisting the assumption had “reasonable grounds”.
“However, recent information obtained by the force indicated that this may not be correct,” the police said.
“Having confirmed his status and whereabouts, officers spoke to Mr Redwin who is unable to provide any additional evidence to that which has already been obtained in the original inquiry.
“Gwent Police is satisfied there is no basis to re-refer the matter to the CPS and the investigation remains closed.”
The announcement came after Mr Redwin’s friend Patsy Frankham, 61, yesterday spoke out at her home in Dorking, Surrey – where police came looking for him on Sunday.
“Mr Redwin is a friend but he does not live here,” she said. Asked where he was, she replied: “I do not know. He could be the other side of Paris for all I know.”
Reputation
Miss Frankham said she thought police were carrying out a “publicity stunt” for A Very English Scandal, the hit BBC1 drama about the Thorpe affair.
She said: “The police came and had a film made of them knocking on my door when they knew I wasn’t there. Is this a publicity stunt? I don’t know.”
Thorpe was acquitted at a 1979 Old Bailey trial of a plot to murder Mr Scott – the North Devon MP’s lover in the 1960s when homosexuality was illegal.
The court heard Newton tried to shoot ex-model Mr Scott, only to be thwarted when the gun jammed. He did kill his Great Dane, Rinka, and was jailed for possessing a firearm.
After Mr Thorpe’s death four years ago, Dennis Meighan, a schoolfriend of Newton’s, claimed he offered him £13,500, to silence Mr Scott. Now 71, he said he turned down the offer and went to police but claimed they covered up his claims to protect the politician’s reputation.
Gwent Police began investigating his allegations two years ago, but dropped the probe believing Newton had died.
After the revelation he was alive, Mr Scott, 78, said: “I just don’t think anyone tried hard enough to look for him.”