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Jowell Reveals Prescotts Involvement in Casino Policy

Opposition MPs called anew for inquiry into Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's role in the decision making over new regional super casinos after Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell revealed that she held talks with Prescott on the matter of the casinos' potential for regenerating inner cities.

A full investigation was demanded by Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on Prescott's personal association with casino policy after Jowell said that he expressed an interest in the number of regional casinos that would be established.

"I can certainly recall discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister about the number of casinos that were consistent with the regeneration objectives... Any discussion I had with the Deputy Prime Minister was in the context of the statement of policy on casinos and how this small number of regional casinos might maximise the regeneration objectives," said Jowell.

Jowell however insisted that she does not remember discussing casino applications with Prescott.

"Mr Prescott has always hidden behind claims that he wasn't involved in casino policy. This clearly shows that Mr Prescott had a role in casino policy," Hugo Swire, the shadow Culture Secretary, said.

"Clearly John Prescott was heavily involved in government policy on issues that would directly affect Mr Anschutz's bid... It seems apparent that the Prime Minister is more interested in protecting his own back than protecting the integrity of the Government," he added.