VIP sex accuser ‘Nick’ faces child abuse trial
THE alleged fantasist who sparked the Westminster paedophile investigation has been charged with child sex offences.
The man, who can only be identified as Nick, was arrested last year and has appeared in court charged with multiple offences relating to allegations of making and possessing hundreds of indecent images of children. He has also been charged with voyeurism. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, which allegedly took place between 2015 and 2016, and is expected to stand trial later this year.
The development comes as prosecutors consider whether he should be charged for allegedly lying about being abused as a child and then fraudulently claiming compensation for the ordeal. In 2015, Nick told Scotland Yard that a VIP paedophile ring, operating at Dolphin Square flats in Westminster, had raped, abused and even murdered young boys.
He claimed the group included Sir Edward Heath, the late former prime minister; Lord Bramall, the former head of the Army; Lord Brittan, the late former home secretary; and Harvey Proctor, the former Tory MP.
The Metropolitan Police described his claims as “credible and true”, and
opened its Operation Midland investigation, which cost £2.5million and traduced the reputations of the accused.
During the 16-month investigation, the homes of Lord Bramall, Lord Brittan and Mr Proctor were raided by police. The inquiry was shut down in March 2016, and the Met has since apologised to those who were falsely accused.
Despite being charged with paedophile offences, Nick cannot be identified, because as a complainant of a sex offence he enjoys lifelong anonymity.
Last night Lord Bramall, who is 94, said: “If the charges are proven in court, then maybe this is why he started this great furore.
“He was presumably obsessional about this abuse of children. I don’t even know who the chap is. It is unbelievable that the police called him credible and true.
“He got £50,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for just making the allegation that had not been proved or taken to court.”
Lord Bramall’s wife died shortly after the raid and was never aware that her husband had been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Mr Proctor said: “I am appalled that the Metropolitan Police Service failed to investigate the fact that my accuser was an alleged paedophile.
“I am shocked and I am hurt. To keep this out of the public arena for nine months makes me more suspicious about the motives of the Crown Prosecution Service and the police. Nick should never have been described as credible and true.”
As well as issuing apologies to those who were falsely accused, police have paid out £100,000 damages each to Lady Brittan and to Lord Bramall.
Mr Proctor is suing the force for £500,000, having lost his home as a result of the police actions.