HOW TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE UNFOLDED
2012
OCT 5 Operation Yewtree investigation into Jimmy Savile and other celebrities launched.
OCT 24 Tom Watson makes statement in Commons about VIP paedophile ring.
OCT 30 Beech contacts Met to say he was abused by late stepfather and Savile. Case referred to Wiltshire police.
2013
MAY 3 Wiltshire police close probe into original Beech claims because of no evidence.
SEP 21 Beech asks for a crime number to begin a Criminal Injuries Compensation claim.
2014
JUL 12 Exaro news website runs claims of sex abuse parties at Dolphin Square, Westminster.
OCT 6 Beech, now known as ‘Nick’, emails the Yard, about alleged VIP child sex abuse.
OCT 22 First taped police interview with Beech.
NOV 14 Operation Midland formally launched.
DEC 18 Det Supt Kenny McDonald describes Beech’s claims as ‘credible and true’.
2015
JAN 21 Lord Brittan dies.
MAR 4 Police search homes of Field Marshal Lord Bramall, Harvey Proctor and Lord Brittan.
APR 30 Lord Bramall first interviewed under caution.
JUN 18 Mr Proctor questioned under caution by police.
JUL 31 Lord Bramall re-interviewed days after wife dies.
AUG 24 Mr Proctor questioned again; the next day he publicly denounces Operation Midland.
SEPT 5 Daily Mail reveals Beech is a suspected serial liar and fantasist, but police too scared to close down inquiry.
2016
JAN 15 Lord Bramall cleared.
FEB Sir Richard Henriques ordered by Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to start independent inquiry into Operation Midland fiasco.
MAR 21 Mr Proctor cleared. Operation Midland scrapped.
SEP 28 Lord Hogan-Howe tenders resignation.
OCT 31 Report into Operation Midland makes 43 criticisms but 85% is redacted.
NOV Northumbria Police begin investigation into Beech for perverting the course of justice and raid his home.
2017
MAR 8 Police watchdog clears two senior Met officers of wrongdoing.
SEP Lord Bramall and widow of Lord Brittan receive £100,000 compensation each.
2018
FEB 7 Beech revealed as having been charged with child porn and voyeurism offences.
JUL 2 Charged with perverting course of justice and fraud.
JUL 31 Fails to appear for trial at Worcester Crown court over paedophile allegations after fleeing to Sweden – extradited.
2019
JAN 21 Jury sworn in at Hereford Crown Court to hear Beech trial on child porn charges.
JAN 22 Beech changes plea to guilty.
MAY Beech’s trial for perverting the course of justice and fraud begins in Newcastle.
JULY 22 Beech found guilty. Three former officers on Operation Midland cleared of alleged misconduct by watchdog.
JULY 26 Beech jailed for 18 years.
JULY 30 Sir Richard calls for criminal probe into how search warrants were obtained.