Scotland Yard defends ‘complex’ murder and child abuse probe

Scotland Yard has defended a controversial inquiry into claims of murder and child abuse by establishment figures.

The Metropolitan Police issued a lengthy statement following a slew of reports raising doubts about Operation Midland, which was launched following historical claims that a VIP paedophile ring including MPs were linked to the murder of three children between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s.

The force said the historic nature of the allegations “means this is a complex case where the normal avenues of evidence-gathering from CCTV, DNA and telephone data, are not open to us”, adding: “These cases take time, but the public can have confidence that allegations from witnesses will be investigated thoroughly.”

In an appeal for witnesses when the inquiry was first started, police described the main witness – known by the pseudonym “Nick” – as “credible”.

The Met said: “We must add that whilst we start from a position of believing the witness, our stance then is to investigate without fear or favour, in a thorough, professional and impartial fashion, and to go where the evidence takes us without prejudging the truth of the allegations. That is exactly what has happened in this case.”

Operation Midland includes allegations of sexual abuse but it is “and remains” a murder investigation, the statement said.

It added: “The integrity of our investigation is paramount, and the public can have confidence that allegations of homicide are being investigated thoroughly.”

Last month former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who has been questioned over the claims, insisted he is a victim of a “homosexual witch hunt” and called for “Nick” – to be stripped of his anonymity.

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