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| Operation Midland: ex-Tory MP walks out of BBC interview | Operation Midland: ex-Tory MP walks out of BBC interview |
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| The former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was among high-profile figures falsely accused of being part of a VIP paedophile ring, has walked out of a BBC interview after a frosty exchange about Scotland Yard’s disastrous inquiry into the claims. | The former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor, who was among high-profile figures falsely accused of being part of a VIP paedophile ring, has walked out of a BBC interview after a frosty exchange about Scotland Yard’s disastrous inquiry into the claims. |
| Proctor clashed with the BBC presenter Naga Munchetty as the pair discussed the publication of a damning report, which laid bare a series of failings in the Metropolitan police’s multi-million pound inquiry. | Proctor clashed with the BBC presenter Naga Munchetty as the pair discussed the publication of a damning report, which laid bare a series of failings in the Metropolitan police’s multi-million pound inquiry. |
| Proctor, who lost his job and home as a result of false accusations that he committed child murder and rape, accused the BBC Breakfast presenter of preventing him from speaking. | Proctor, who lost his job and home as a result of false accusations that he committed child murder and rape, accused the BBC Breakfast presenter of preventing him from speaking. |
| The interview came the day after the publication of a fuller version of Sir Richard Henriques’ review of Operation Midland, Scotland Yard’s £2.5m inquiry into the extraordinary claims of Carl Beech, who alleged he was abused by a murderous establishment paedophile ring. The report, which was published in a redacted form three years ago, found 43 failings by investigators and said detectives fell for Beech’s story. | The interview came the day after the publication of a fuller version of Sir Richard Henriques’ review of Operation Midland, Scotland Yard’s £2.5m inquiry into the extraordinary claims of Carl Beech, who alleged he was abused by a murderous establishment paedophile ring. The report, which was published in a redacted form three years ago, found 43 failings by investigators and said detectives fell for Beech’s story. |
| Operation Midland was set up by the Metropolitan police in November 2014 to examine allegations of child sexual abuse and homicide. It was based on false claims by Carl Beech, known as "Nick", that he was abused by public figures of authority from 1975 to 1984, and witnessed the abuse of others. | Operation Midland was set up by the Metropolitan police in November 2014 to examine allegations of child sexual abuse and homicide. It was based on false claims by Carl Beech, known as "Nick", that he was abused by public figures of authority from 1975 to 1984, and witnessed the abuse of others. |
| He made widely reported false allegations about being taken to parties at exclusive private members’ clubs, in Dolphin Square in London and other locations – including swimming pools – attended by among others the former prime minister Sir Edward Heath, the former home secretary Leon Brittan, the then chief of defence staff Lord Bramall, the ex-MI5 chief Sir Michael Hanley, as well as the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor. | He made widely reported false allegations about being taken to parties at exclusive private members’ clubs, in Dolphin Square in London and other locations – including swimming pools – attended by among others the former prime minister Sir Edward Heath, the former home secretary Leon Brittan, the then chief of defence staff Lord Bramall, the ex-MI5 chief Sir Michael Hanley, as well as the former Tory MP Harvey Proctor. |
| Operation MIdland was closed in March 2016 with no charges brought. Beech was jailed for 18 years in July 2019 for making the claims. He is appealing against the conviction and the sentence. | Operation MIdland was closed in March 2016 with no charges brought. Beech was jailed for 18 years in July 2019 for making the claims. He is appealing against the conviction and the sentence. |
| A 2016 report into the investigation said it was ‘riddled with errors’, identifying 43 individual errors made by officers, that the team misled a judge to get search warrants, and finding that five officers, including four detectives and a deputy assistant commissioner, would be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for failings. | A 2016 report into the investigation said it was ‘riddled with errors’, identifying 43 individual errors made by officers, that the team misled a judge to get search warrants, and finding that five officers, including four detectives and a deputy assistant commissioner, would be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission for failings. |
| The report found warrants to search the homes of wrongly accused suspects – including Proctor – were obtained “unlawfully” and “should not have taken place”. The premeditated decision by officers to publicly say they believed Beech was a “serious mistake”, it added. | The report found warrants to search the homes of wrongly accused suspects – including Proctor – were obtained “unlawfully” and “should not have taken place”. The premeditated decision by officers to publicly say they believed Beech was a “serious mistake”, it added. |
| It also said Labour’s now deputy leader, Tom Watson, who met Beech and encouraged him to go to police, “created further pressure upon officers”. Scotland Yard’s 16-month investigation closed without a single arrest and Beech was jailed for 18 years in July for lying about his claims. | It also said Labour’s now deputy leader, Tom Watson, who met Beech and encouraged him to go to police, “created further pressure upon officers”. Scotland Yard’s 16-month investigation closed without a single arrest and Beech was jailed for 18 years in July for lying about his claims. |
| Speaking via video link on BBC Breakfast on Saturday morning, Proctor said: “What happened to me was that I lost my job, my home and my repute as a result of a fantasist who was believed by the Metropolitan police.” | Speaking via video link on BBC Breakfast on Saturday morning, Proctor said: “What happened to me was that I lost my job, my home and my repute as a result of a fantasist who was believed by the Metropolitan police.” |
| As Proctor highlighted failings identified by the report, Munchetty pointed out that the Independent Office for Police Conduct had cleared officers involved in the investigation of wrongdoing. But Proctor hit back, claiming the IOPC watchdog was “not fit for purpose”. | As Proctor highlighted failings identified by the report, Munchetty pointed out that the Independent Office for Police Conduct had cleared officers involved in the investigation of wrongdoing. But Proctor hit back, claiming the IOPC watchdog was “not fit for purpose”. |
| He went on to condemn the role of BBC journalists in reporting Beech’s allegations, which was criticised in the report. Henriques singled out two BBC journalists who met Beech, one of whom showed him pictures of two boys who were either murdered or went missing in the late 1970s and 80s. The report said they “needed to be told of the potential damage they were causing to this investigation”. | He went on to condemn the role of BBC journalists in reporting Beech’s allegations, which was criticised in the report. Henriques singled out two BBC journalists who met Beech, one of whom showed him pictures of two boys who were either murdered or went missing in the late 1970s and 80s. The report said they “needed to be told of the potential damage they were causing to this investigation”. |
| Proctor told Munchetty: “Could I suggest that you get in touch with your home affairs correspondent for the BBC who messed up potentially the investigation into Mr Beech …” | Proctor told Munchetty: “Could I suggest that you get in touch with your home affairs correspondent for the BBC who messed up potentially the investigation into Mr Beech …” |
| As the pair began to talk over each other, Proctor claimed the BBC was “very sensitive about any criticism whatsoever that may come your way”, adding: “By talking across me you’re not really doing what the BBC should do, and that is to give a right to comment.” | As the pair began to talk over each other, Proctor claimed the BBC was “very sensitive about any criticism whatsoever that may come your way”, adding: “By talking across me you’re not really doing what the BBC should do, and that is to give a right to comment.” |
| Munchetty went on to claim that the IOPC had cleared the Met commissioner, Cressida Dick, of wrongdoing, but Proctor pointed out that she had not been interviewed by the watchdog. | Munchetty went on to claim that the IOPC had cleared the Met commissioner, Cressida Dick, of wrongdoing, but Proctor pointed out that she had not been interviewed by the watchdog. |
| As they continued to clash, Munchetty said: “I am allowing you to speak and I will allow you to speak, but I also need to give a right of reply rather than letting you say things that are potentially incorrect or when people don’t have a right to reply.” | As they continued to clash, Munchetty said: “I am allowing you to speak and I will allow you to speak, but I also need to give a right of reply rather than letting you say things that are potentially incorrect or when people don’t have a right to reply.” |
| But Proctor suddenly removed his earpiece and walked off camera, saying: “I am sorry, I am not having this.” | But Proctor suddenly removed his earpiece and walked off camera, saying: “I am sorry, I am not having this.” |
| After his exit, Munchetty told viewers: “I think what was made very clear there is the impact that this investigation has had on his life.” | After his exit, Munchetty told viewers: “I think what was made very clear there is the impact that this investigation has had on his life.” |
| Separately, Proctor told the Guardian that one of Britain’s most high-ranking police officers should be suspended for his role overseeing Operation Midland. | Separately, Proctor told the Guardian that one of Britain’s most high-ranking police officers should be suspended for his role overseeing Operation Midland. |
| “He should be suspended, in the light of everything, and then a full investigation held, probably by an outside police force,” he said. | “He should be suspended, in the light of everything, and then a full investigation held, probably by an outside police force,” he said. |
| The inquiry was overseen by Steve Rodhouse, who has since been promoted to a £240,000-a-year job as the director for operations at the National Crime Agency. | The inquiry was overseen by Steve Rodhouse, who has since been promoted to a £240,000-a-year job as the director for operations at the National Crime Agency. |
| Proctor called for Rodhouse to be suspended from that role and investigated. After the report’s publication, Rodhouse – who was cleared in 2017 of wrongdoing without being interviewed – apologised for the distress caused to “innocent people”, and said he understood the criticisms of his role in the investigation. “I acted with the best of intentions throughout,” he insisted. | Proctor called for Rodhouse to be suspended from that role and investigated. After the report’s publication, Rodhouse – who was cleared in 2017 of wrongdoing without being interviewed – apologised for the distress caused to “innocent people”, and said he understood the criticisms of his role in the investigation. “I acted with the best of intentions throughout,” he insisted. |
| Beech, a former nurse, alleged he was among the victims of an “establishment group” – including politicians and military figures – who kidnapped, raped and murdered boys in the 1970s and 80s. He accused the former prime minister Edward Heath, the ex-home secretary Leon Brittan, Proctor, and the D-day veteran Field Marshal Edwin Bramall of being abusers. The homes of Lord Brittan, Lord Bramall and Proctor were raided as part of the investigation. | Beech, a former nurse, alleged he was among the victims of an “establishment group” – including politicians and military figures – who kidnapped, raped and murdered boys in the 1970s and 80s. He accused the former prime minister Edward Heath, the ex-home secretary Leon Brittan, Proctor, and the D-day veteran Field Marshal Edwin Bramall of being abusers. The homes of Lord Brittan, Lord Bramall and Proctor were raided as part of the investigation. |
| Beech was found guilty after a 10-week trial at Newcastle crown court of 12 counts of perverting the course of justice, and one count of fraud over a £22,000 criminal compensation payout. He is also a convicted paedophile after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse images in a separate trial earlier this year. | Beech was found guilty after a 10-week trial at Newcastle crown court of 12 counts of perverting the course of justice, and one count of fraud over a £22,000 criminal compensation payout. He is also a convicted paedophile after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse images in a separate trial earlier this year. |
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