Ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor, whose home was raided by officers probing child sex claims, tells police: 'Put up or shut up'

 
Criticism: Operation Midland was launched by the Met last November following allegations that boys were sexually abused by a VIP paedophile ring
Sebastian Mann3 May 2015
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A former Conservative MP has told the Metropolitan Police to "put up or shut up" after officers investigating historic allegations of child sex abuse raided his home earlier this year.

Harvey Proctor, who represented the Essex towns of Basildon and Billericay before leaving Parliament in 1987, said he felt "disbelief and disgust" at what he described as "the growing paranoia among various police 'organisations"' in relation to such investigations.

Writing in the Independent on Sunday, the 68-year-old proclaimed his innocence in relation to allegations over which he said he has still not been interviewed.

Mr Proctor said: "It's time - with the spending on these enquiries approaching £100m - to say to the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions: Put up or shut up. Arrest me; charge me; try me. If you have evidence against me, bring it on!"

In a blunt and direct address to Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe as well as other chief police officers, he said "get a grip", claiming they should redirect their "scarce" resources into tackling current crime and law and order.

Mr Proctor's home within the grounds of Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire was searched by officers from Operation Midland in March.

The probe was launched by the Met last November following allegations that boys were sexually abused by a VIP paedophile ring alleged to have existed at Westminster during the 1970s and 1980s.

There were claims that sex parties involving boys below the age of consent were held at the exclusive Dolphin Square apartment block near the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Proctor denies any involvement.

Mr Proctor - who left Parliament in 1987 after pleading guilty to acts of gross indecency - has previously said he knew nothing the paedophile ring or allegations that three boys linked to the abuse were murdered.

He claimed the media, police and politicians are pursuing the issue of historic child sex abuse "to try to get on the good side of the people of this country and rehabilitate themselves from their past lapses".

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "We do not confirm the identity of anyone we may or may not wish to speak with in connection with any ongoing investigation.

"Operation Midland is an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service relating to allegations of serious, organised sexual abuse and the possible murder of three young boys.

"The abuse is reported to have taken place over at least a decade, at various locations across London and the Home Counties, including military premises.

"It is important that all allegations we receive, and evidence we gather is fully tested and enquiries carried out to seek to corroborate, or otherwise, this information. That is what officers working on Operation Midland have been doing and will continue to do so.

"It is vitally important that witnesses and possible victims feel confident to come forward in the knowledge that they will be taken seriously."

Additional reporting by PA

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