Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson should “leave the public arena” for his part in promoting the false claims of a VIP Westminster paedophile ring and Scotland Yard “must atone” for its handling of the case, according to ex-MP Harvey Proctor.
The Conservative former politician, whose home was raided on the basis of claims made by fantasist Carl Beech, then known as “Nick”, spoke out after a damning report found search warrants in the case were “obtained unlawfully”.
Retired High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques – who was called in after the 16-month Operation Midland ended in 2016 without a single arrest – said the main cause of the botched probe was “poor judgment and a failure to accurately evaluate known facts”.
Mr Proctor said: “The Metropolitan Police should admit and atone for their complicity in what was a politically motivated manoeuvre.”
The 72-year-old added that the Labour deputy should resign because Sir Richard’s report had found he had added to the pressure on investigating officers.
He'll never live this down. The coppers involved will disappear, but there's nowhere for Watson to hide if he stays in politics.
He's a bad 'un that Watson.He'll never live this down. The coppers involved will disappear, but there's nowhere for Watson to hide if he stays in politics.
His position is "untenable" He should do the right thing instead of hanging around Bleeding the Tax Payer
A man with such poor Judgement has no place in Da House , and that is saying something
His position is "untenable" He should do the right thing instead of hanging around Bleeding the Tax Payer A man with such poor Judgement has no place in Da House , and that is saying something
saw an easy way to help nail some tories only to see it backfire spectacularly. one suspects he wouldn't have been quite so enthusiastic had it been ex labour figures allegedly involved
saw an easy way to help nail some tories only to see it backfire spectacularly. one suspects he wouldn't have been quite so enthusiastic had it been ex labour figures allegedly involved
Watson has to go. His role in this case is unforgivable.
It says something when, despite his appalling behaviour, Watson is still much better than anybody else of Labour’s absolutely despicable front bench.
Watson has to go. His role in this case is unforgivable. It says something when, despite his appalling behaviour, Watson is still much better than anybody else of Labour’s absolutely despicable front bench.
Don't forget this Watson bloke had his eyes on the Labour leadership.
I think he can kiss goodbye to to that, after showing the dark side to his character here.
Don't forget this Watson bloke had his eyes on the Labour leadership.I think he can kiss goodbye to to that, after showing the dark side to his character here.