It's the mother of all stitch-ups says Leslie over rape claim
FORMER TV presenter John Leslie yesterday furiously dismissed fresh rape allegations against him as “the mother of all stitch-ups”.
The ex-host of Blue Peter and This Morning bristled with anger as he denied attacking a 21-year-old woman 13 years ago.[>
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Mr Leslie, whose broadcasting career collapsed after police investigated sex attack claims about him five years ago, rejected the latest allegations with the sideswipe: “If I sound bitter, it’s because I am”.[>
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The 43-year-old Scot said he had no idea who his latest accuser was but dismissed her complaint over an alleged incident in 1995 as “totally untrue”.[>
The accusation is totally untrue
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Reading a prepared statement outside his lawyer’s central London office, Mr Leslie said: “When, I ask, is this nightmare going to end?[>
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“There is little justice and no fairness in what I and my family have been and are being put through.”[>
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Flanked by his solicitor Paul Fox, he was clearly furious that details of the new police investigation into his conduct had been leaked to the press.[>
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He was questioned and bailed on Monday about a young woman’s claim that he attacked her during a party at his then home in south-west London.[>
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It is understood the alleged victim told detectives she was a student at the time and that Mr Leslie had raped and indecently assaulted her.[>
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Her account mirrors those made in 2003 when Mr Leslie was arrested and charged but eventually acquitted of attacking a 23-year-old woman.[>
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The scandal was sparked by fellow presenter Ulrika Jonsson, who claimed in her autobiography she had been attacked at the age of 19 by a celebrity who she declined to name.[>
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Mr Leslie was, however, identified on live television by Channel 5 frontman Matthew Wright and in the surrounding publicity, another alleged victim complained to police.[>
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Although Mr Leslie was charged with two counts of indecent assault, both charges were dropped at London’s Southwark Crown Court.[>
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Despite being declared innocent, he was unable to revive his television career and moved back home to Edinburgh.[>
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Addressing reporters in Chancery Lane yesterday, Mr Leslie condemned the “lies” that once again threaten his name. [>
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He said: “I am accused of attacking a person 13 years ago. I do not even know who this person is. I am asked to recall events from one night in November 1995. [>
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“I defy anyone to remember what they were doing 13 years ago on a particular night. [>
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“However, I certainly did not attack this person as I have never attacked anyone. [>
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“The accusation is totally untrue.”[>
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After finishing his statement, Mr Leslie added that the latest probe was the “mother of all stitch-ups”.[>
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Officers are understood to have taken his photograph, fingerprints and a DNA swab before bailing him to report back to police in August. [>
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However, legal sources are sceptical about the chances of a successful prosecution 13 years after the alleged attack. One said: “It is all very odd. You can’t see why this has come to light after so long and I can’t imagine what evidence can be found after that length of time.”[>
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Yesterday, Mr Leslie’s DJ brother Grant Stott said: “When he was accused five years ago it was cleared up. We hope it will be cleared up this time as quickly and as quietly as possible.”[>
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Ex-weathergirl Ms Jonsson, 40, yesterday declined to comment on Mr Leslie’s arrest.[>
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At her home near Maidenhead, Berks, she said: “I wouldn’t like to say anything at all about the news.”[>
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HIS FULL STATEMENT[>
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Yesterday I attended Teddington police station by appointment. I was arrested on suspicion of a crime that was allegedly committed in 1995. I was interviewed for 30 minutes and released on bail.[>
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Five years ago I helped the police complete a thorough investigation into malicious claims against me.[>
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As I was found innocent on all charges, I had hoped that the police would have been able to conduct their investigation in confidence, and that I would not be prejudged.[>
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Regrettably, as has happened in the past, the details of a private police inquiry have been leaked to the press, and once again I face trial by media.[>
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It is thus with a mixture of anger and distress that I am forced yet again to talk about lies about my private life, lies that destroyed my public career in 2003 and which now threaten the private life which I have been happy to lead since then.[>
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I am accused of attacking a person 13 years ago. I do not even know who this person is. I am asked to recall events from one night in November 1995. I defy anyone to remember what they were doing 13 years ago on a particular night. However I certainly did not attack this person as I have never attacked anyone. The accusation is totally untrue.[>
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When, I ask, is this nightmare going to end? If it is considered acceptable to launch an investigation after 13 years, then why not 20 or 30 years?[>
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There was open season on me in 2003. I was subjected to an eight- month police inquiry, I was pilloried in the press.[>
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Finally, in October 2003, I was told by a Southwark Crown Court judge that I left the courtroom completely innocent and without a stain on my character.[>
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Now, five years later, it all starts again. Another person, protected by the anonymity that the law gives them, is able to drag my name through the mud.[>
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My mother and father are beside themselves with worry. So, if I sound bitter, it is because I am. There is little justice and no fairness in what I and my family have been and are being put through.[>
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*Additional reporting by Cyril Dixon and Nick Fagge.[>