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| Westminster 'paedophile ring' accuser charged | Westminster 'paedophile ring' accuser charged |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man who alleged there was a paedophile ring at the heart of Westminster has been charged with perverting the course of justice. | A man who alleged there was a paedophile ring at the heart of Westminster has been charged with perverting the course of justice. |
| The man, known as Nick, whose real name is being withheld for legal reasons, is also accused of fraud. | The man, known as Nick, whose real name is being withheld for legal reasons, is also accused of fraud. |
| Nick's claims sparked an 18-month Scotland Yard inquiry into allegations public figures sexually assaulted children and three boys were murdered. | Nick's claims sparked an 18-month Scotland Yard inquiry into allegations public figures sexually assaulted children and three boys were murdered. |
| The inquiry was dropped and Northumbria Police was asked to investigate Nick. | The inquiry was dropped and Northumbria Police was asked to investigate Nick. |
| Nick had claimed he was systematically abused and tortured by senior politicians and members of the armed forces during the 1970s and 1980s. | Nick had claimed he was systematically abused and tortured by senior politicians and members of the armed forces during the 1970s and 1980s. |
| Those he accused included former Conservative politicians Lord Brittan and Harvey Proctor, and Field Marshal Lord Bramall. | Those he accused included former Conservative politicians Lord Brittan and Harvey Proctor, and Field Marshal Lord Bramall. |
| Mr Proctor has welcomed the decision to prosecute Nick. | Mr Proctor has welcomed the decision to prosecute Nick. |
| High-profile raids | High-profile raids |
| After the Met launched Operation Midland in 2014 to investigate Nick's claims, they held a press conference where a senior detective described the allegations as "credible and true". | After the Met launched Operation Midland in 2014 to investigate Nick's claims, they held a press conference where a senior detective described the allegations as "credible and true". |
| In 2015, the Met carried out a series of high-profile dawn raids on the homes of those Nick had accused. | In 2015, the Met carried out a series of high-profile dawn raids on the homes of those Nick had accused. |
| All of them denied his allegations and the investigation was closed without anyone facing charges, having cost £2.5m. | All of them denied his allegations and the investigation was closed without anyone facing charges, having cost £2.5m. |
| Last September, Northumbria Police passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider possible charges against Nick. | Last September, Northumbria Police passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider possible charges against Nick. |
| Thirteen charges | |
| On Tuesday, the CPS head of special crime said there was "sufficient evidence" to bring 12 charges of perverting the court of justice and one of fraud. | On Tuesday, the CPS head of special crime said there was "sufficient evidence" to bring 12 charges of perverting the court of justice and one of fraud. |
| Nick is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court "in due course". | Nick is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court "in due course". |
| In a statement, Mr Proctor "congratulated" Northumbria Police for a "thorough and robust" investigation and said there must be no delays in arranging the trial. | In a statement, Mr Proctor "congratulated" Northumbria Police for a "thorough and robust" investigation and said there must be no delays in arranging the trial. |
| "The torture that was and is Operation Midland should end as soon as is possible," he said, adding: "Justice must now be allowed to take its course." | "The torture that was and is Operation Midland should end as soon as is possible," he said, adding: "Justice must now be allowed to take its course." |
| Daniel Janner, the son of the late peer Lord Janner, said in the light of the CPS charging decision he would no longer be attempting to bring a private prosecution against Nick over allegations he made against his father. | Daniel Janner, the son of the late peer Lord Janner, said in the light of the CPS charging decision he would no longer be attempting to bring a private prosecution against Nick over allegations he made against his father. |
| Police apology | Police apology |
| The Met apologised for the way they had conducted Operation Midland and paid compensation to Lord Bramall and the family of Lord Brittan, who died in 2015. | The Met apologised for the way they had conducted Operation Midland and paid compensation to Lord Bramall and the family of Lord Brittan, who died in 2015. |
| Mr Proctor is suing the Met for compensation. | Mr Proctor is suing the Met for compensation. |
| A report into Operation Midland, carried out by a retired High Court judge, said the force had made a series of errors in the investigation and made 25 recommendations on how police should handle similar allegations in the future. | A report into Operation Midland, carried out by a retired High Court judge, said the force had made a series of errors in the investigation and made 25 recommendations on how police should handle similar allegations in the future. |