Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

PM denies riding horse loaned to Rebekah Brooks

 

Andrew Woodcock
Thursday 01 March 2012 20:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Prime Minister David Cameron today denied that he had ever ridden the horse which was lent by police to former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks.

But he confirmed that he had ridden as leader of the Opposition with Mrs Brooks's racehorse trainer husband Charlie, a friend since they went to school at Eton.

It emerged earlier this week that the Metropolitan Police lent a horse called Raisa to Mrs Brooks, who resigned last year as chief executive of News International amid the furore over phone-hacking allegations.

The horse was stabled at the former tabloid editor's Cotswolds home from 2008-10 before being handed back to the Met. It is understood that the animal has since died.

In an interview with Channel 5 News today, Mr Cameron was asked whether he had ever ridden Raisa.

He said: “It's a matter of record that I have been riding with Rebekah Brooks' husband, Charlie Brooks.

“He is a friend of mine for 30 years standing and a neighbour in my constituency so that's a matter of record.

“But since I have been Prime Minister I think I have been on a horse once and it wasn't that one.”

A Downing Street spokeswoman said she was not aware to which horse Mr Cameron was referring.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in