Wild West Outfit Was Sole Gift to Prescott
A report has been published in full regarding the gifts that John Prescott has received from the bidder of a super casino along with the gifts received by other ministers.
Blair's second in command came under fire for receiving gifts from Philip Anschutz, owner of the Millennium Dome and a bidder for the license to build Britain's first super casino. Prescott received an elaborate cowboy outfit from the billionaire.
The items were a Stetson hat, tooled leather boots and a belt with a silver buckle that had his initials "JP" on it. Ministers are supposed to declare gifts that are over 140 UK Pounds and Prescott failed to declare this.
The set was given to the Deputy Prime Minister during his controversial two day stay on the Colorado ranch of the American billionaire.
Ministers are also under obligation to purchase the gifts from the government, otherwise they are held by their departments.
The cowboy outfit was reportedly the only gift that Prescott received from Anschutz and he chosen not to purchase them.
The list reflects that many government departments received no declarable gifts. Prime Minister Tony Blair himself received 17 such gifts and has chosen to purchase only three.