In the early 1960s, Norman Scott was working as a groom at an Oxfordshire stable when he first met Jeremy Thorpe, who went on to become the leader of the Liberal party. Thorpe visited the stables and, according to Scott, offered to help him in case he ever had any problems. Decades later, Scott is speaking out about the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of Thorpe.
In an exclusive interview with Patrick Kelleher from PinkNews, Scott, now 83, claims that Thorpe sexually abused him on multiple occasions, including raping him when he was a “nervous wreck” after leaving his job and spending time in a psychiatric unit. Scott said he was raped for the first time at Thorpe’s mother’s house and was too scared to leave because he did not have his National Insurance card, which he needed to obtain another job or claim benefits.
According to Scott, Thorpe continued to abuse him for years, and their relationship was marked by a power dynamic that kept Scott under Thorpe’s control. The abuse allegedly continued even as Thorpe became the leader of the Liberal Party and was worried about Scott’s behavior.
Thorpe allegedly planned to have Scott killed, and a failed attempt on Scott’s life led to a trial that became one of the most sensational of the 20th century. The trial ended in acquittals for Thorpe and his accomplices, but the scandal left an indelible mark on British politics.
Scott’s story sheds light on the entrenched homophobia of the time and the ways in which powerful figures were able to prey on vulnerable individuals. Despite the difficulties he faced, Scott has continued to speak out and hopes that his story will help others who are experiencing similar situations today.
The story of Jeremy Thorpe and Norman Scott has been the subject of a BBC drama and a popular podcast, but Scott remains critical of the way in which his story has been portrayed. He believes that his experiences have been oversimplified and that the media’s entrenched homophobia at the time made it even more difficult for him to seek justice.
Decades after his experience with Thorpe, Scott remains committed to telling his story and fighting homophobia. He hopes that others who are experiencing abuse will be inspired by his courage and find the strength to speak out.