Prescott faces probe over trip to billionaire’s ranch

BRITAIN’s deputy prime minister is facing an official investigation into his links to an American billionaire who hopes to open a massive casino in London.

The latest revelations surrounding John Prescott follow months of allegations of sleaze and mismanagement in Tony Blair’s Government.

A spokesman for Mr Prescott said he had decided to enter his stay at Philip Anschutz’s ranch in the House of Commons Register of Members’ Interests.

The spokesman added this was to ensure there was no doubt that he had “acted at all times with integrity” in his meetings with Mr Anschutz, who is seeking to open a super-casino in the Millennium Dome.

The announcement came shortly after Westminster’s sleaze watchdog, Standards Commissioner Philip Mawer, launched a preliminary inquiry into allegations surrounding the trip to the ranch in Colorado last July.

“Having considered the matter, [the commissioner] thinks there is probably enough substance in the allegation to warrant further investigation,” said Philip Mawer’s spokeswoman.