John Prescott’s son David ‘is suspended by Labour amid allegations of sexual harassment’
David Prescott is one of Jeremy Corbyn's closest aides
THE WESTMINSTER sleaze scandal engulfed Jeremy Corbyn’s office yesterday as top aide David Prescott was suspended over harassment claims.
It emerged Lord Prescott’s son was booted out LAST WEEK after allegations thought to have been made by at least one woman to the Labour leader’s team.
The exact allegations against Mr Prescott, who is communications manager for the shadow cabinet, are not currently known.
The sacking came amid fresh claims last night that FOUR more male Labour MPs will be dragged into the sex scandal that has rocked Parliament to its core in the coming days. One insider said: “There’s much more to come.”
Lord "Two Jags" Prescott himself was humiliated a decade ago after having to admit a two–year affair with his diary secretary Tracey Temple.
She claimed they once made love in a Southampton hotel room while the Deputy PM’s wife Pauline was waiting to go to dinner with her husband.
David Prescott had only joined the Labour leader’s office last year after spending years trying to become an MP.
He stood as a parliamentary candidate in 2015 and has failed in attempts to be selected for a safe seat.
The party has refused to comment directly on Mr Prescott's case.
Challenged about David Prescott, a Labour spokesman would only say: “We do not comment on staffing matters.”
But he added: “When evidence of misconduct comes to light, all appropriate disciplinary action is taken in line with the party’s rule book and procedures.”
David Prescott refused to comment.
The suspension emerged last night after a spokesman for Mr Corbyn had emailed staff to say the “as David’s not in today, the weekly comms meeting is cancelled”.
Lord Prescott also declined to comment other than to insist he had written the sex pest newspaper column, rubbishing rumours it was penned by his son.
David Prescott launched an unsuccessful bid to become the party’s candidate for the safe seat of Hull West and Hessle earlier this year after former Labour Home Secretary Alan Johnson stood down.
He stood as Labour’s candidate in Gainsborough in 2015 but lost to Conservative incumbent Sir Edward Leigh.
Unite yesterday confirmed they had been backing his bid to stand in Mansfield at the next Election. A spokesman said: “These decisions are made by members locally after considering all the individuals seeking the unions support in the seat.
“Obviously, they were completely unaware of any allegations which have subsequently emerged.”
Two Labour MPs are currently suspended by the party, with another senior figure under formal investigation.
Yesterday Carl Sergeant, a Labour member of the Welsh Assembly, was found dead after being sacked over claims he sexually harassed women.
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Tory minister says sorry for asking aide for sex toys
Tory minister Mark Garnier finally apologised today - ten days after he admitted asking an aide to buy him sex toys.
The Wyre Forest MP told his local newspaper he was sorry for the incident, which took place in 2010.
Mr Garnier told his PA Caroline Edmundson to go to a Soho sex shop to buy the devices, it emerged last month.
He said today: “The events of 2010 concerning myself and a former member of staff have been reported outside the context and circumstances in which they occurred.
“At the time we were friends, and I want to be clear that I did not force or pressure her into doing anything.
“It is right that the public expect high standards of behaviour from their elected representatives, and I apologise to my constituents that this situation has occurred.”
The trade minister is currently being investigated by the Cabinet Office over whether his behaviour was a breach of the ministerial code.