Former Tory MP demands 'full transparency' over police watchdog's exit
Former Tory MP who was caught up in false ‘VIP paedophile ring’ scandal demands ‘full transparency’ over exit of police watchdog chief accused of ‘inappropriate historical relationship with a child aged 14 or 15’
- Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor was falsely accused by paedophile Carl Beech
- Proctor said Michael Lockwood must state reason for IOPC resignation
- IOPC and Home Office have refused to fully explain his departure
A former Tory MP caught up in the false VIP paedophile ring scandal has demanded ‘full transparency’ over the exit of a police watchdog chief accused of having an inappropriate historical relationship with a child.
Michael Lockwood, former director-general of the Independent Office for Police conduct, quit on Friday amid allegations said to be sexual in nature from when he was in his 20s.
It comes as former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who was falsely accused by paedophile Carl Beech, said Mr Lockwood must come clean about why he has stepped down from the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
In a statement, Mr Lockwood said he was leaving his £190,000-a-year job as director-general with immediate effect for ‘personal and domestic’ reasons.
Former Tory MP Harvey Proctor, who was falsely accused by paedophile Carl Beech (pictured left), said Michael Lockwood (pictured right) must come clean about why he has stepped down from the Independent Office for Police Conduct
Both the IOPC and the Home Office have refused to fully explain his departure, which has plunged the watchdog into crisis.
Mr Proctor said Mr Lockwood’s vague explanation for his resignation was ‘insufficient’ due to his crucial role overseeing investigations into rogue police officers.
And he reiterated his demand for the IOPC to reopen its investigation into Scotland Yard’s disastrous VIP abuse inquiry – Operation Midland – something Mr Lockwood refused to sanction.
Mr Proctor, who received £500,000 in compensation over the Met’s treatment of him during Midland, said: ‘Michael Lockwood has constantly refused to reopen the IOPC inquiry report into Midland. He has now resigned for personal reasons.
‘There must be full transparency into the reasons for his resignation as he has been at the forefront of dealing with leading police cases.
‘There must be no indication he has committed the sin of rank hypocrisy in his dealings with public interest matters.’
Proctor (pictured) said Mr Lockwood’s vague explanation for his resignation was ‘insufficient’ due to his crucial role overseeing investigations into rogue police officers
BBC broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, who faced false sex allegations in another shambolic Met investigation, said: ‘Although Midland was not my case, I became very familiar with the unjustly accused during the time we were all trying to figure out why malicious nonsense was happening to us and others.
‘The Metropolitan Police’s determination to cover up its errors, and the assistance the IOPC has given it to do so, shames the profession of law enforcement. The investigation should be reopened.’
Sources confirmed that Mr Lockwood, 63, had stepped down after a historical allegation of a sexual nature was made against him.
It relates to alleged conduct when he was in his 20s and living in Humberside.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she had asked her officials to ask him to resign or face immediate suspension.’
Based on the wild allegations of Beech – formerly given the pseudonym ‘Nick’ – police raided the homes of Establishment figures including ex-Army chief Lord Bramall. Beech has since been jailed for 18 years for fraud, lying and child sex offences.
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