Pressure For Prescott On Casinos

John Prescott is under pressure for staying at the ranch of the millionaire who wants to open Britain's first super casino at the Millennium Dome.

The Tories have asked Parliament's standards watchdog to investigate whether Mr Prescott should have declared his visit to Philip Anschutz.

In the Commons, Sports Minister Richard Caborn insisted that Mr Prescott had no role in siting casinos.

But the Tories say they have papers showing that statement is wrong. They are asking Mr Caborn to correct his comments.

The deputy prime minister and a small number of his civil servants stayed at Mr Anschutz's ranch in July last year as part of a nine-day trip to America.

A spokesman says a donation was made to charity after the visit.

A decision on the location of the first super casino, allowed under the Gambling Act passed last year, is expected at the end of the year.

The Dome, which Mr Anschutz owns, is among the sites short listed for the casino.

Mr Caborn said it was "absolutely disgraceful" when the Tories asked whether Mr Prescott's visit showed ministers were being at "arms length".

The minister angrily told MPs: "The deputy prime minister had no role in planning, had no role in negotiation and has had no role in the siting of casinos."

But now shadow culture secretary Hugo Swire has written to Mr Caborn saying his statement "sits at odd with the actual facts".

He points to a circular put out by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on planning regulations for casinos.

And he says information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act shows Mr Prescott visited the Star City Casino in Sydney in November 2004 and was shown around by a government relations officer at the casino.

Mr Swire concludes: "Admittedly it is difficult to work out what exactly Mr Prescott's current responsibilities actually are but it would seem that they certainly did, contrary to your bold statement include responsibility for some aspects of gambling legislation. If there has been a change in his responsibilities can you let us know? Can you also take this opportunity to correct your earlier misleading statement in the House?"

In a statement, Mr Prescott said: "It is not true to suggest I had any involvement whatsoever in the sale of the Dome. I played no role in any planning decisions relating to the sale of the Dome or in any negotiations for the sale of the Dome. My contact with Philip Anschutz relates solely to the use of the Dome post-sale in terms of the regeneration of the area and Mr Anschutz's interest in William Wilberforce, a former Hull MP and slavery abolitionist about whom Mr Anschutz is making a film as I am personally involved in the 2007 abolition bicentenary."