British Prime Minister Tony Blair's deputy John Prescott, who has embarrassed his boss by having an affair and keeping a free country mansion, came under pressure today over visits to an American billionaire.
The latest revelations about Mr Prescott, derided by critics as a figure of fun, are damaging to Mr Blair who is only just emerging from several months of sleaze and mismanagement allegations.
Mr Prescott faces the threat of a parliamentary investigation after he disclosed he had met US oil, sports and entertainment mogul Philip Anschutz who is bidding to turn London's landmark Millennium Dome on the River Thames into a super casino.
Opposition Conservatives say the matter has a "bad smell".
"Why on earth did the Deputy Prime Minister, the second most powerful political figure in the land, have seven meetings with somebody who wants to bid for the only slot available for a regional casino?" said Conservative Hugo Swire on BBC Radio.
He has called for an investigation after it emerged Prescott had stayed at Anschutz's Colorado ranch last year.
Combative Mr Prescott, best known for punching a member of the public who hurled an egg at him during an election rally in 2001, said he had met Anschutz but that he had no power over gambling licence decisions.
Mr Blair, who promised Labour would be "whiter than white" when it took power in 1997, has backed Prescott despite lurid headlines after he cheated on his wife with his secretary.
While stripping him of most governmental responsibilities, Mr Blair kept him as his deputy. Mr Prescott was also forced to give up his free official country residence after he was photographed playing croquet on its lawn in working hours.
But amid calls, some from within Labour, for him to go, losing such a close ally would hurt Mr Blair.
The former ship's steward is valuable for his links to Labour's left wing and he is one of the few figures who can soothe relations between Mr Blair and his likely successor, finance minister Gordon Brown.
Mr Prescott's exit would trigger a vote for a successor which could prompt calls for Mr Blair to step down and allow simultaneous elections for Labour's leader and deputy leader.
Mr Blair says he will not stand in 2009's expected election.