Denial Is A River In Egypt

Labour rallies to defend Prescott over billionaire's casino at dome

· Meetings with Anschutz 'discussed regeneration'
· Internet claims and BBC interview add to pressure

John Prescott was still facing pressure on several fronts yesterday despite a robust defence of his own conduct and the support of Downing Street, ministerial colleagues and influential backbenchers.

They insisted that the deputy prime minister's seven meetings with businessmen Philip Anschutz were legitimate discussions about the role the billionaire's company AEG was playing in regenerating the Thames Gateway area, including the Greenwich peninsula, and that they had nothing to do with the businessman's plans to build a casino on the dome site.

Mr Prescott said: "I am staying on for as long as I believe I am getting on with the job. The suggestion is that my meetings with Mr Anschutz showed a preference for his plans for a casino. They did not."

I find it hard to believe that Prezza would not be discussing casino's while visting one.