Former Conservative MP calls for change in law following failed child abuse investigation
Ex-Conservative MP, Harvey Proctor, who has been cleared of historical allegations of child sex abuse, has appealed for the law to be changed to protect the anonymity of the accused and the accuser.
Having been cleared of all historical charges of child sex abuse, the former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Harvey Proctor, has called for the law to be changed to protect those accused of committing such offences.
Following last week’s closure of Scotland Yard’s failed Operation Midland, a £1.8m investigation into historical claims of a Westminster VIP paedophile ring, which ended without a single arrest, Mr. Proctor said the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, should resign.
The 69-year old also said that the Home Secretary, Theresa May, should “consider her position.”
After previously asserting that he was the victim of a homosexual witch-hunt, Mr. Proctor was last week advised that he would face no further action. The decision was taken following a raid on his home and his participation in an interview under caution on two occasions.
The 16-month Operation Midland investigation considered claims that boys were sexually abused more than 30 years ago and that three of them may have been murdered.
The allegations stem from claims made by a man called ‘Nick’ and two other alleged victims who came forward later.
Mr. Proctor said the police were biased in favour of the alleged victim, Nick.
Speaking to ITV News, he said: “They should never have said that Nick’s allegations were credible and true.”
Mr. Proctor categorically dismissed the murder claims: “There are and never were any bodies, they dug up no bodies, there were no names, no grieving families and no complaints because it was all a figment of one man’s imagination, bolstered by a political glitterati and investigated by policemen who have watched too much Miss Marple and Midsomer Murders,” he said.
Mr. Proctor called for a change in the law.
He said that people accused of sexual abuse should be entitled to the same anonymity – before being charged – as those who allege the abuse took place.
“We should put the law back to how it was, that both the complainant and the subject of the complaint have anonymity until charge,” he said.
The Home Office did not comment on Mr. Proctor’s appeal for a law change.
However, a spokesperson said: “We have been absolutely clear that, where an allegation of child sexual abuse is made, whether it occurred now or in the past, it should be reported to the police so that they can thoroughly investigate and establish the facts.
“Decisions on investigating those allegations are a matter for Police forces, held to account by their Police and Crime Commissioner.”
Mr. Proctor’s career as an MP ended in 1987 after a tabloid sting, after which he admitted acts of gross indecency at a time when the age of consent for sexual intercourse between gay adults was 21.
He has not ruled out taking legal action in the present case.
