The 8 burning questions that NEED answers

1 Why did the Metropolitan Police take nine months to correct the phrase ‘credible and true’ by a senior officer to describe Carl Beech? The use of this phrase by Detective Superintendent Kenny McDonald in December 2014 undermined the principle of ‘innocent before proven guilty’, set the tone for the shambolic investigation and was used in the search warrant applications for Lord Bramall, Lady Brittan and Harvey Proctor.

2 What role did ‘gold commander’ Steve Rodhouse, the mastermind of Operation Midland, have in the decision to raid the homes? The search warrant applications said they had been considered at DAC level – a reference to then-Deputy Assistant Commissioner Mr Rodhouse.

3 Why did Mr Rodhouse, as the head of the unprecedented investigation, not scrutinise the warrant applications very closely before authorising them?

4 There were several major inconsistencies in Beech’s accounts contained in a police document. Who compiled this document, who saw it and who decided to say there were no undermining factors in Beech’s accounts? This is a critical issue at the heart of Sir Richard Henriques’ claims that officers applying for search warrants did not act with due diligence and good faith.

5 Was then-Met Chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe briefed ahead of the raids and did he raise concerns? He has tried to distance himself from Operation Midland but senior sources say there needs to be clarity about what he knew. How much contact did Sir Bernard have with officers on the case?

6 Why were two serial liars known as ‘A’ and ‘B’ – who supported Beech’s false allegations – not investigated and charged with perverting the course of justice? In his bombshell 2016 report, Sir Richard recommended that the pair face criminal proceedings but despite his report being fully accepted by Sir Bernard, the Met did not carry out Sir Richard’s instructions and refuses to explain why they were not prosecuted.

7 In December 2015, a senior CPSofficial urged detectives to abandon the investigation immediately. The advice was based on a leading psychologist’s evaluation of Beech, who cast ‘serious doubts’ on his claims. But although Lord Bramall was formally cleared a few weeks later, Mr Rodhouse kept the inquiry going until March 2016 – keeping innocent Mr Proctor in suspense.

8 How could Cressida Dick authorise the setting up of Operation Midland? Among Beech’s ludicrous claims were that he was used as a ‘human dartboard’ by the heads of MI5 and MI6, had his horse shot by the VIP paedophile gang and was forced by Lord Bramall to eat his vomit. If Beech had really witnessed all this, why was he still alive?