EX-MP reports police officers in Beech case
HARVEY PROCTOR, the former Tory MP falsely accused of child abuse by fantasist Carl Beech has reported five former Scotland Yard officers to the police for alleged criminal wrongdoing.
The 72-year-old accused them of offences including perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office. The five officers he is demanding be investigated are: Steve Rodhouse, the former Deputy Assistant Commissioner in charge of Operation Midland;
Det Supt Kenny Mcdonald; Det Supt Diana Tudway; Det Insp Alison Hepworth; and Det Sgt Eric Sword.
Mr Proctor made the complaint 10 days ago to Northumbria Police, the force that investigated Beech.
Last night, a Met spokesman said: “We can confirm that the MPS received a referral from Northumbria Police on Oct 31 following a complaint comprising criminal allegations in relation to five former MPS officers involved in Operation Midland. The MPS is assessing the complaint.”
Mr Proctor said he was forced to take the action after the Independent Office for Police Conduct absolved all the officers involved in Operation Midland inquiry of any wrongdoing in a “whitewash” report.
He said he believed the officers had a case to answer for allegedly misleading a district judge when applying for search warrants to raid his home and those of Lord Brittan, the former home secretary, and Lord Bramall, former head of the Army.
Earlier this year, Sir Richard Henriques, the retired High Court judge who carried out a review of Operation Midland, said he believed there was evidence police officers had broken the law when making the applications.
Howard Riddle, the district judge who issued the warrants, also recently said he believed he had been misled.
Mr Proctor said: “It is unprecedented that two senior and respected judges should publicly allege criminality in the conduct of a police investigation.
He added: “After the fullest and most careful consideration, having taken legal advice, and with the deepest regret I am compelled, in the interest of justice, to report these matters as crimes to Northumbria Police.” Operation Midland was launched by Scotland Yard in Nov 2014 when Beech claimed he had been raped and tortured by high profile politicians and public figures including Mr Proctor.
The Met spent 18 months investigating, without making an arrest. In July, Beech was jailed for 18 years for perverting the course of justice and fraud. None of the officers involved has been disciplined over their role.
Mr Proctor said while he had named five officers, any criminal investigation should not be restricted to them.