‘Nick’ denies making up Westminster child abuse ring claims

THE man known as ‘Nick’ whose claims of sexual abuse and murder prompted the Westminster VIP paedophile probe yesterday denied making up the claims and trying to make money from them.

Vicar’s son Carl Beech (pictured), who for four years was known only by his pseudonym, accused figures including former prime minister Edward Heath and ex-home secretary Leon Brittan of being part of a Westminster child sex ring.

He also said that he had witnessed former Tory MP Harvey Proctor murder an unnamed boy as well as witnessing the murders of two other children by members of the alleged gang.

Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court by video-link from prison yesterday, Beech, 51, a former nurse, denied 12 counts of perverting the course of justice relating to the claims which sparked Scotland Yard’s £2.5million Operation Midland investigation.

He also denied one charge of fraud relating to £22,000 he claimed in compensation because of the sexual and physical abuse he said he had suffered as a child in the 70s and 80s.

The media was barred from naming Beech for four years as an alleged victim of sexual offences until a judge in December lifted reporting restrictions.

Judge Mr Justice Goss will preside over a trial beginning on May 7 at Newcastle Crown Court.

The charges of perverting the course of justice include allegations that Beech, from Gloucester, lied about witnessing the child murders and falsely claimed to have been sexually assaulted by military figures, politicians and a TV presenter.

It is also alleged that he provided false information purportedly sent from ‘Fred’, an individual who he said was present when he was abused.

In 2014 Scotland Yard launched Operation Midland and began investigating Beech’s claims. The investigation closed without a single arrest in 2016.