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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Norman Scott role in Jeremy Thorpe BBC drama 'very unkind' | Norman Scott role in Jeremy Thorpe BBC drama 'very unkind' |
| (10 days later) | |
| Norman Scott described the depiction of him in the BBC series as "very unkind" | Norman Scott described the depiction of him in the BBC series as "very unkind" |
| A man at the centre of the Jeremy Thorpe scandal has described the depiction of him in a TV drama as "very unkind" and a "caricature". | A man at the centre of the Jeremy Thorpe scandal has described the depiction of him in a TV drama as "very unkind" and a "caricature". |
| The three-part, 2018 BBC series A Very English Scandal explored Norman Scott's alleged affair with late former Liberal Party leader Mr Thorpe. | The three-part, 2018 BBC series A Very English Scandal explored Norman Scott's alleged affair with late former Liberal Party leader Mr Thorpe. |
| The North Devon MP was acquitted at a trial in 1979 of being involved in an alleged attempt to murder Mr Scott. | The North Devon MP was acquitted at a trial in 1979 of being involved in an alleged attempt to murder Mr Scott. |
| The series' writer, producers and actor Ben Whishaw have been asked to comment. | The series' writer, producers and actor Ben Whishaw have been asked to comment. |
| Speaking on a podcast, British Scandal: Jeremy Thorpe, Mr Scott, 83, who lives on Dartmoor in Devon, said he was "very cross" with his portrayal by Whishaw. | Speaking on a podcast, British Scandal: Jeremy Thorpe, Mr Scott, 83, who lives on Dartmoor in Devon, said he was "very cross" with his portrayal by Whishaw. |
| Ben Whishaw said he had wanted his portrayal of Normal Scott to "do him justice in his complexity" | Ben Whishaw said he had wanted his portrayal of Normal Scott to "do him justice in his complexity" |
| He said: "Ben was being a very good actor, he had met me, he knew me, and I hoped that he would be me... | He said: "Ben was being a very good actor, he had met me, he knew me, and I hoped that he would be me... |
| "I think it was very - I can say it because it's what I believe - it was a black comedy. It was very unkind. But Ben played me very well." | "I think it was very - I can say it because it's what I believe - it was a black comedy. It was very unkind. But Ben played me very well." |
| Reflecting on scenes from the series, which starred Hugh Grant as Thorpe, he added: "But I did not walk down the stairs of the Old Bailey saying that I am gay and queer and all this sort of thing. Because it's just not me. I'm not that sort of person. | Reflecting on scenes from the series, which starred Hugh Grant as Thorpe, he added: "But I did not walk down the stairs of the Old Bailey saying that I am gay and queer and all this sort of thing. Because it's just not me. I'm not that sort of person. |
| "I scuttled away after I had given my evidence and went back down to Devon. I wasn't there to do that. It was unkind, really. I was a caricature." | "I scuttled away after I had given my evidence and went back down to Devon. I wasn't there to do that. It was unkind, really. I was a caricature." |
| The series was based on the book of the same name by author and newspaper arts editor John Preston. | The series was based on the book of the same name by author and newspaper arts editor John Preston. |
| Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe died in 2014 | Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe died in 2014 |
| At the time of production, Mr Whishaw said he felt a "connection" to Mr Scott and wanted to "do him justice in his complexity and in his variety as a human being". | At the time of production, Mr Whishaw said he felt a "connection" to Mr Scott and wanted to "do him justice in his complexity and in his variety as a human being". |
| After entering Parliament in 1959 as a member of the Liberals, Mr Thorpe went on to head the party in the 1960s and 1970s. | After entering Parliament in 1959 as a member of the Liberals, Mr Thorpe went on to head the party in the 1960s and 1970s. |
| Mr Scott claimed they had a relationship at a time when homosexuality was illegal - it was legalised between men in 1967 - and an attempt on his life was made on Exmoor in 1975. | Mr Scott claimed they had a relationship at a time when homosexuality was illegal - it was legalised between men in 1967 - and an attempt on his life was made on Exmoor in 1975. |
| Mr Thorpe denied the fling and was acquitted of conspiracy and incitement to murder Mr Scott. | Mr Thorpe denied the fling and was acquitted of conspiracy and incitement to murder Mr Scott. |
| But, following the case, aged 50 and having lost his seat in the Commons in 1979, he withdrew from public life. | But, following the case, aged 50 and having lost his seat in the Commons in 1979, he withdrew from public life. |
| He died from Parkinson's disease in 2014, aged 85. | He died from Parkinson's disease in 2014, aged 85. |
| Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Television | Television |
| Jeremy Thorpe | Jeremy Thorpe |
| BBC | BBC |