Despair of Tory MP after second inquiry into false sex claims
‘It was a clear attempt to pile agony and harm upon existing agony and despair, keeping me and my life in suspended animation’ my name. Yet the police stand idly by, not even thinking to confirm to me they have concluded their ‘extensive’ investigation.”
He added: “For the first time for two years, I am not under investigation by any police force. It is a great relief and only those in – or who have been in – my predicament can ever understand or appreciate the impact such intolerable smears can cause. It is truly devastating.”
Mr Proctor was first investigated by the Metropolitan Police over false allegations made by a fantasist identified only as Nick that he had been a member of a paedophile ring that had murdered at least three boys.
Nick had falsely claimed that other members of the ring included Sir Edward Heath, the former prime minister, Lord Bramall, the former head of the Army, Lord Brittan, the ex-home secretary, and the former heads of MI5 and MI6.
Mr Proctor’s house was raided in March last year by 20 officers with Operation Midland. In the August, Mr Proctor denounced Nick as a fantasist at a press conference in which he outlined the ludicrous nature of the allegations made against him and others. Following his intervention, Operation Midland rapidly unravelled.
It can now be disclosed that in thesame month, a second man claimed that Mr Proctor had sexually assaulted him at a private residence in Rochdale in June 1992.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) began an inquiry in secret, and Mr Proctor was made aware of the new complaint only in June – three months after Operation Midland was shut down.
Operation Midland is expected to be severely criticised in an independent review by a former High Court judge, which Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met Commissioner, is refusing to publish in full.
The second case against Mr Proctor was finally closed in August but he learnt of this only last week.
He said: “It is my strong view that unless the GMP complainant is mentally ill, he should be prosecuted for seeking to pervert the course of justice.
“Clearly he made malicious allegations against me at a time when I was challenging the allegations of the fantasist Nick. It was a clear attempt to pile agony and harm upon existing agony and despair.
“Their actions have kept me and my life in suspended animation for 20 months.”
He added that despite campaigning in many places as an MP: “I cannot recall visiting Rochdale or the Rochdale area ever.”
No one from Greater Manchester Police was available for comment yesterday.
In an email sent to Mr Proctor, the detective in charge of the inquiry wrote: “The investigation is now concluded; should any further information come to light, it will of course be reopened and we will ensure early communication is made with Mr Proctor.”