Cops finally track down Jeremy Thorpe ‘hitman’ thought to be dead for 14 years – but say he has no fresh evidence
Gwent Police today confirmed they have tracked down Andrew Newton but said he was unable to provide 'any additional evidence'
POLICE have closed the book on the Jeremy Thorpe scandal after insisting hitman suspect Andrew Newton has nothing new to tell them.
Officers tracked down and questioned Newton, accused of a bungled 1975 plot to kill Norman Scott, gay lover of ex-Liberal leader Thorpe.
But they say Newton has no new information and so there will be no further action taken.
It comes as The Sun learned that at the time of the alleged hit Newton told friends he was working for Britain’s security services.
He claimed his links to spooks ensured he got off lightly with two years in jail on weapons charges after he shot dead Scott’s dog during the bungled hit.
An inquiry into the alleged plot was triggered in 2016 after Newton’s pal Dennis Meighan claimed he supplied the pistol used
Gwent Police closed it down after announcing Newton had died in 2004.
But with interest in the case rekindled by Hugh Grant TV drama A Very English Scandal it was revealed Newton is alive and living in Dorking, Surrey, under the name Hann Redwin.
Officers were seen calling at the house on Sunday, sparking speculation of a new inquiry.
But Gwent Police said it is “satisfied there is no basis to re-refer the matter. The investigation remains closed.”
Scott, 78, yesterday said he may complain to the Independent Office For Police Conduct over the handling of the inquiry.
He said: “I’m well aware what I need to do.”
Thorpe was one of four men acquitted of plotting to murder Scott in 1979 — sparking cover-up claims
5 big questions
THE Thorpe scandal raises a series of unanswered questions.
- Why did the judge at Newton’s weapons trial in 1976 stop witness Norman Scott when he tried to mention Jeremy Thorpe?
- Why did the judge at Thorpe’s trial call Scott a “liar, crook a parasite” in his summing-up?
- Why was Newton never charged with attempted murder and then given immunity from further prosecution after his arrest?
- In 1990 The Times said an investigation had been ordered into claims MI5 paid Newton £50,000 with a bogus Premium Bond win. What was the outcome?
- Why were Gwent Police so easily convinced Newton had died in 2004 when there was not even a death certificate?
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