Westminster paedophile ring story ‘totally unfounded’, court told

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A police inquiry into allegations that a VIP paedophile ring had operated in Westminster and murdered three boys found parts of the accuser’s account were “totally unfounded, hopelessly compromised and irredeemably contradicted”, a court heard. Mr Badenoch said: “Northumbria Police followed a number of lines of inquiry and found that key elements of the story were totally unfounded, hopelessly compromised and irredeemably contradicted by other testimony.” The prosecution said Mr Beech had claimed the VIP ring held his head underwater to make him comply with their sick wishes, leaving him with a lifelong fear of water – but revealed he was photographed snorkelling on his honeymoon. Mr Badenoch told jurors that a Metropolitan Police officer had at the time described the allegations as “credible and true”, and said the force launched Operation Midland as a result in November 2014. Mr Badenoch said that the three men had all suffered “immeasurable distress” and “reputational damage”, adding that Lord Bramall’s wife had died “whilst the file was still open”.