‘Fantasist’ who made VIP sex abuse claims now faces prosecution

PROSECUTORS are considering charging the suspected fantasist behind Scotland Yard’s disastrous VIP child sex abuse inquiry with fraud and trying to pervert the course of justice.

Following a ten-month investigation into the man known only as ‘Nick’, detectives have submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether he should stand trial.

The £2.5million Operation Midland inquiry prompted by his wild claims led to raids on the homes of ex-defence chief Lord Bramall, the late former home secretary Leon Brittan and exTory MP Harvey Proctor.

Police have also examined allegations that Nick may have received £50,000 after applying to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for a payout for allegedly suffering child sex abuse.

He could be prosecuted for fraud if the application was shown to have been made under false pretences.

Last night a source with knowledge of the Northumbria Police probe into Nick, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described the decision to send a file to the CPS as ‘highly significant’.

If Nick is convicted, he faces losing his anonymity and being named.

Northumbria Police have sought to establish whether anyone encouraged Nick to make bogus allegations of child sex abuse and serial murder.

In March, the Mail revealed that Nick faced financial ruin after Mr Proctor launched a six-figure compensation claim against him over his ‘lies’ to Scotland Yard’s Operation Midland.

The ex-politician’s claim is part of a £1million-plus action against Nick and the police, who took his far-fetched accusations seriously.

Lord Bramall and Lord Brittan’s widow Diana each received around £100,000 from Scotland Yard in out-of-court settlements over Operation Midland.

‘Highly significant’