Hounded ex-MP to sue ‘Nick’ over child sex smears
THE suspected fantasist who triggered Scotland Yard’s disastrous VIP child sex abuse inquiry is facing financial ruin after a former Tory MP launched a six-figure compensation claim against him.
In a landmark move, Harvey Proctor alleges the man, known only as ‘Nick’, spread ‘malicious falsehoods’ about him – including claims he was involved in the murders of three boys.
Mr Proctor is seeking a substantial payout for defamation, saying the allegations left him homeless, jobless and penniless.
The ex-politician’s claim is part of an unprecedented £ 1million- plus action against Nick and the police, who took his far-fetched accusations seriously.
The Daily Mail can reveal that in legal papers sent to the Metropolitan Police last week, Mr Proctor – twice interviewed under caution over Nick’s allegations – also makes a series of devastating claims about how the Met mishandled Operation Midland.
The investigation, costing £2.5million, has resulted in no arrests or convictions. Officials are said to have been ‘stunned’ by the size of Mr Proctor’s claim.
Nick, who cannot be named for legal reasons, could now be dragged before court to be cross-examined about his wild claims of a murderous Westminster paedophile ring – peddled by the now-closed ‘investigations’ website Exaro.
One of Nick’s most extraordinary allegations was that former prime minister Sir Edward Heath persuaded Mr Proctor not to castrate him with a penknife.
Nick continues to be investigated by Northumbria Police for allegedly perverting the course of justice by making false
‘Spread malicious falsehoods’
claims against Mr Proctor, former home secretary Lord Brittan and ex- defence chief Lord Bramall.
The ex-MP is seeking compensation for damage to reputation, ‘aggravated and exemplary damages’ and personal injury damages. His claim also includes a £500,000 compensation demand for losing his job as private secretary to the Duke of Rutland, as well as his grace and favour home on the aristocrat’s estate.
In November, he received a grovelling apology from then Met chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe over ‘significant failings’ in Operation Midland.
Mr Proctor, who has a financial backer to support his court costs, said last night: ‘I can confirm that a protocol letter of claim has been sent to the Met, seeking Nick’s real name and address so that a letter of claim can also be served on him.’
Last night Scotland Yard confirmed it has received ‘a pre-action letter of claim’ from Mr Proctor.