UK NEWS
IT'S THE MOTHER OF ALL STITCH-UPS SAYS LESLIE
BITTER: John Leslie condemns the claims that led to his arrest
By John Chapman and John Twomey
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.
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”.
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”.
Reading a prepared statement outside his lawyer’s central London office, Mr Leslie said: “When, I ask, is this nightmare going to end?
“There is little justice and no fairness in what I and my family have been and are being put through.”
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.
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.
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.
Her account mirrors those made in 2003 when Mr Leslie was arrested and charged but eventually acquitted of attacking a 23-year-old woman.
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.
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.
Although Mr Leslie was charged with two counts of indecent assault, both charges were dropped at London’s Southwark Crown Court.
Despite being declared innocent, he was unable to revive his television career and moved back home to Edinburgh.
Addressing reporters in Chancery Lane yesterday, Mr Leslie condemned the “lies” that once again threaten his name.
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.
“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.”
After finishing his statement, Mr Leslie added that the latest probe was the “mother of all stitch-ups”.
Officers are understood to have taken his photograph, fingerprints and a DNA swab before bailing him to report back to police in August.
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.”
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.”
Ex-weathergirl Ms Jonsson, 40, yesterday declined to comment on Mr Leslie’s arrest.
At her home near Maidenhead, Berks, she said: “I wouldn’t like to say anything at all about the news.”
* Additional reporting by Cyril Dixon and Nick Fagge.
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