Carl Beech latest: Scotland Yard defends investigation into made-up VIP paedophile ring which cost £2 million

Jacob Jarvis22 July 2019
WEST END FINAL

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Scotland Yard has defended its investigation into a fictitious VIP paedophile ring which saw a number of senior politicians falsely accused of hideous crimes.

The probe, named Operation Midland, cost the force £2 million as detectives spent 16 months investigating the supposed murders of three children and the alleged ritual sadistic abuse of boys.

Former NSPCC volunteer Carl Beech's false accusations led the Metropolitan Police to raid the homes of 91-year-old Normandy veteran Field Marshall Lord Bramall, the late Lord Brittan and former Tory MP Harvey Proctor.

Mr Proctor described the investigation into the Mr Beech's claims as "a truly disgraceful chapter in the history of British policing", though the Met said its officers acted in "good faith".

In a statement, Mr Proctor listed a catalogue of supposed failings on the Metropolitan Police's part.

He also criticised Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson because he "gave oxygen" to Beech's claims by meeting with him and discussing the allegations.

Westminster paedophile accuser Carl Beech being interviewed by the Metropolitan Police
Crown Prosecution Service/PA Wire

He said: "The Metropolitan Police were lapdogs to Mr Watson's crude dog whistle. It's time for the torchlight to take a closer look at Mr Watson.

Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor
PA

"It is now beyond doubt that all of these allegations could never have been true and only someone with spectacular bad judgement could think that they might be.

"It is time for an apology from him to me and everyone named or implicated in this truly disgraceful chapter in the history of British policing, which was allowed to happen because of internal failings at the highest level within the Metropolitan Police Service."

After the trial, Mr Proctor said he was still to settle a claim against the Metropolitan Police, saying their raid cost him his home and the job he loved, working for the Duke and Duchess of Rutland.

Following Mr Proctor’s comments, Mr Watson defended his actions in drawing attention to allegations of abuse.

He said Mr Proctor made "an understandably emotional attack today" and acknowledged the former MP was "hurt and angry".

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said he acknowledged Harvey Proctor was "hurt and angry"
PA

The MP added "it was for the police, rather than me" to judge whether Mr Beech, who went by the name Nick, was lying or not.

Speaking after Mr Beech was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and one count of fraud, Met Police Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House said: "It must be remembered also that the work of Operation Midland was carried out against a backdrop of intense scrutiny and allegations that in the past the Met had covered up sensitive allegations about prominent people.

“There will nonetheless be an internal debrief following Carl Beech’s trial to identify any additional lessons.

“It remains true that investigating allegations of sexual offences is a very complex and challenging area of police work.”

It was also detailed that The Independent Office for Police Conduct police watchdog has cleared three detectives following an investigation into whether a district judge was misled when the force applied for warrants to search the homes of Lord Bramall, Lord Brittan and Mr Proctor.

Five other officers who had previously been referred were also found not have acted in bad faith.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court rejected Beech's unfounded allegations and on Monday convicted him of 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one of fraud, relating to a £22,000 criminal injuries payout he falsely claimed for being raped by Savile.

Beech, 51, alleged senior politicians, Army top brass and security chiefs were involved in sadistic sexual abuse and that he witnessed them murder three boys in the 1970s and 1980s.

The police investigation ended without a single arrest being made

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