Proctor sues ‘Nick’ and Met over abuse claims

HARVEY PROCTOR, the former Tory MP who was falsely accused of child rape and murder by a fantasist called Nick, is suing him and Scotland Yard for £1 million.

The 71-year-old who lost his home and his job as a result of the malicious allegations, has launched a claim for damages in the High Court.

His legal action could result in Nick – whose identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons – being forced to give evidence in open court for the first time about the extraordinary claims that traduced the reputations of a string of high profile public figures.

Mr Proctor, who represented the constituency of Basildon between 1979 and 1983 and Billericay between 1983 and 1987, was one of a number of well known men accused of being part of a VIP paedophile ring said to be operating at the heart of Westminster.

He was questioned by police over the alleged killing of two young boys and assisting in the murder of a third.

Mr Proctor’s home in the grounds of Belvoir Castle, where he worked as a private secretary to the Duke of Rutland, was raided by police and as a result he was forced to leave his job and his home. He is seeking £1million for loss of income as well as personal injury and damage to his reputation.

In documents lodged at the High Court last night, he launched actions against Nick and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, claiming their actions were malicious and that the ordeal had caused him to suffer a depressive illness for more than two years.

Mr Proctor has revealed that he doubts he will ever be able to reconstruct his life and has been left feeling suicidal on numerous occasions. Describing how the ordeal had left him feeling, he said: “I’ve got no money… no savings… I’ve got no job… my life is in limbo. I’d be surprised if on the day that I die… I know it’ll be in my obituaries and that’s very hurtful.”

Lord Hogan-howe, who was head of Scotland Yard for Operation Midland, could also appear at a civil trial. The operation was launched in 2014, when Nick told police he had been abused by a cabal of powerful public figures between 1975 and 1984. He alleged they included Sir Edward Heath, the former prime minister; Leon Brittan, the former home secretary; Lord Bramall, former head of the Army; and Greville Janner, the former Labour MP.

In launching an appeal for witnesses, one senior detective referred to his complaints as “credible and true”.

Operation Midland closed in March 2016 without a single arrest, despite 31 officers working on the case at a cost of £2 million. Nick was investigated over perverting the course of justice and fraud. The CPS is expected soon to decide if he will be charged.

Last year the Met paid £100,000 compensation to Lord Bramall and Lady Brittan but a similar offer to Mr Proctor was rejected.