An Accidental Icon: How I dodged a bullet, spoke truth to power and lived to tell the tale

The jaw-dropping and inspiring story of accidental queer icon Norman Scott and his role in one of the greatest political scandals of the 20th century. Born into a poor, dysfunctional and abusive family, Scott began an equestrian career and began a sexual affair with Jeremy Thorpe in 1960. When Thorpe was tried for conspiracy to murder in 1979, the press labeled Scott a madman and the establishment protected Thorpe, who was acquitted. Only recently has Scott's version of events been vindicated.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

The Daily Mail's coverage of the events surrounding Norman Scott's life is truly compelling. From his early years in a dysfunctional and abusive family to his rise to fame as an accidental queer icon, Scott's story is a rollercoaster of emotions and events.

Born in 1940 into poverty, Scott's early life was marked by hardship and abuse. Despite these challenges, he found solace in animals, particularly horses. He began his equestrian career at a young age and quickly became a skilled rider. However, his financial troubles and a nervous breakdown led him down a path of debt and despair.

In 1960, Scott's life took a dramatic turn when he began a sexual affair with Jeremy Thorpe, a married Liberal Party leader and prominent figure in the establishment. Thorpe was embarrassed by their past relationship and tried to cover it up, but his attempts were unsuccessful.

In October 1975, an assassin attempted to murder Norman Scott on Exmoor. The trigger failed, and Scott's beloved dog, Rinka, was shot instead. This incident thrust Scott into the center of a major political scandal and made him an unlikely queer icon. However, this was never his intention.

The assassination attempt led to a sensational trial in 1979, where Thorpe was tried for conspiracy to murder. Despite overwhelming evidence against him, Thorpe was acquitted by a jury. The press labeled Scott a madman, and the establishment protected Thorpe, who was able to evade justice.

It wasn't until recently that Scott's version of events was vindicated. New evidence emerged, revealing Thorpe's involvement in the conspiracy and his attempts to cover it up. The story of Scott's courage and survival in the face of adversity is truly inspiring, and his story continues to resonate with people around the world.

In conclusion, The Daily Mail's coverage of Norman Scott's life is a testament to the power of journalism and the importance of telling the truth. Scott's story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, courage and perseverance can lead to triumph. His accidental queer icon status is a testament to his resilience and the impact he has had on the world.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529370294