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Ex-MP Harvey Proctor calls abuse inquiry 'homosexual witch hunt' | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A former MP has accused police of a "homosexual witch hunt" over claims he was involved in child abuse and murder. | A former MP has accused police of a "homosexual witch hunt" over claims he was involved in child abuse and murder. |
Harvey Proctor said "false" claims had "wrecked" his life. | Harvey Proctor said "false" claims had "wrecked" his life. |
Speaking a day after being interviewed by police for a second time, he said he was "completely innocent" and called for senior police officers to resign. | Speaking a day after being interviewed by police for a second time, he said he was "completely innocent" and called for senior police officers to resign. |
He was interviewed under caution as part of Operation Midland, an inquiry into claims powerful men abused children in the 1970s and 1980s. | He was interviewed under caution as part of Operation Midland, an inquiry into claims powerful men abused children in the 1970s and 1980s. |
"I'm a homosexual. I'm not a murderer or a paedophile," said Mr Proctor. | "I'm a homosexual. I'm not a murderer or a paedophile," said Mr Proctor. |
He held a press conference, saying he wanted to end the "drip, drip, drip" of information in the media. | He held a press conference, saying he wanted to end the "drip, drip, drip" of information in the media. |
'Gang' claim | 'Gang' claim |
Mr Proctor said police had asked him if he knew his "eight alleged co-conspirators, whose homes it was alleged I had visited". | Mr Proctor said police had asked him if he knew his "eight alleged co-conspirators, whose homes it was alleged I had visited". |
He said this list of names included former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, former chief of the defence staff Lord Bramall and former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath. | He said this list of names included former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, former chief of the defence staff Lord Bramall and former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath. |
Lord Bramall has previously categorically denied any involvement with child sexual abuse and said he had an "unblemished record". | Lord Bramall has previously categorically denied any involvement with child sexual abuse and said he had an "unblemished record". |
Mr Proctor said: "The list comprised a number of people I knew, some who I had heard of but not met, and some I did not know. | Mr Proctor said: "The list comprised a number of people I knew, some who I had heard of but not met, and some I did not know. |
"None of the allegations were alleged to have taken place at my home, and I have not visited the homes of any of the 'gang'." | "None of the allegations were alleged to have taken place at my home, and I have not visited the homes of any of the 'gang'." |
Mr Proctor, a Conservative MP from 1979 to 1987 for the Essex constituencies of Basildon then Billericay, said he met Metropolitan Police officers voluntarily on Monday, following a similar interview in June. | Mr Proctor, a Conservative MP from 1979 to 1987 for the Essex constituencies of Basildon then Billericay, said he met Metropolitan Police officers voluntarily on Monday, following a similar interview in June. |
'Nothing to hide' | 'Nothing to hide' |
During the press conference in central London, Mr Proctor said he believed all the claims against him came from one complainant - protected by legal anonymity and known only as "Nick". | During the press conference in central London, Mr Proctor said he believed all the claims against him came from one complainant - protected by legal anonymity and known only as "Nick". |
The Met said it would not be commenting following Mr Proctor's press conference. | The Met said it would not be commenting following Mr Proctor's press conference. |
The former MP said: | The former MP said: |
Mr Proctor added: "I should be arrested, charged and prosecuted for murder and these awful crimes immediately so I can start the process of ridiculing these preposterous allegations in open court - or 'Nick' should be stripped of his anonymity and prosecuted for wasting police time and money, making the most foul of false allegations and seeking to pervert the course of justice." | Mr Proctor added: "I should be arrested, charged and prosecuted for murder and these awful crimes immediately so I can start the process of ridiculing these preposterous allegations in open court - or 'Nick' should be stripped of his anonymity and prosecuted for wasting police time and money, making the most foul of false allegations and seeking to pervert the course of justice." |
He also said that "Nick" should be "medically examined to ensure he is of sound mind". | He also said that "Nick" should be "medically examined to ensure he is of sound mind". |
'Bewilderment' | 'Bewilderment' |
Speaking about the list of names in the alleged "gang" of child abusers, Mr Proctor said he and Sir Edward "despised" each other. | Speaking about the list of names in the alleged "gang" of child abusers, Mr Proctor said he and Sir Edward "despised" each other. |
He said he had never been to Sir Edward's home - which he pointed out would have had CCTV and numerous security and household staff. | He said he had never been to Sir Edward's home - which he pointed out would have had CCTV and numerous security and household staff. |
"It is so far-fetched as to be unbelievable. It is unbelievable because it is not true," he said. | "It is so far-fetched as to be unbelievable. It is unbelievable because it is not true," he said. |
"My situation has transformed from Kafkaesque bewilderment to black farce incredulity." | "My situation has transformed from Kafkaesque bewilderment to black farce incredulity." |