Police investigating the fake VIP abuse scandal asked the family of a former head of the Army if he changed his great-grandchildren’s diapers.
Field Marshal Lord Bramall was interviewed by detectives following false claims made by fantasist Carl Beech, who alleged that he had been raped and abused by a group of high-profile politicians and public figures.
Speaking for the first time, Lord Bramall’s grandson has revealed the extent of the intrusive questions the D-Day veteran was forced to answer during the investigation.
Beech was jailed for 18 years in July 2019 for perverting the course of justice, but was released from prison in February after serving less than half his sentence.
Lord Bramall’s family, and the others affected, received no notice of his release from the probation services or the police.
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During the investigation, police raided the peer’s country home near Farnham in Surrey. He was later voluntarily interviewed by Scotland Yard detectives about the false allegations of child sex abuse and murder as part of Operation Midland.
Lord Bramall died on Nov 12 2019, three months after Beech was sentenced.
Alex Bramall, a 47-year-old fashion photographer, told the Sunday Times: “They were asking the family how he was with his great-grandchildren, who were very young children at the time.
“There were questions like ‘did he change the diapers?’ and ‘what was his relationship like with them?’
“He was an amazing great-grandfather to them, who gave them all the love and support you could ever want. The whole experience was pretty traumatic.
“When I was first told about the allegations, I remember being stopped in my tracks, and wondering, well: ‘Maybe this is true.’ Except it wasn’t. It was all made up. I’ll never forgive myself, or Carl Beech, for that moment of doubt.”
Alex and his father Nick said that, after Beech was sentenced, they were not given the option to join the Victim Contact Scheme, which ensures that victims receive advance notice when an offender is about to be released.
A legal technicality means the Crown is considered the victim in the offence of perverting the course of justice.
The family, along with the other relatives affected by Beech’s claims, have written to David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, criticizing the lack of transparency around his release. The letter was sent five weeks ago, and the group said Mr. Lammy has yet to respond.
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Lord Bramall was Chief of the General Staff from 1979 to 1982 and was central to planning the recapture of the Falkland Islands from Argentina.
After the Falklands War, he became Chief of the Defence Staff, making him head of all UK Armed Forces, from 1982 to 1985.
Beech first went to Scotland Yard in October 2014 claiming to have been the victim of years of sexual abuse and torture at the hands of a group of powerful men.
Others he falsely accused were Sir Ted Heath, the former prime minister, Lord Brittan, the former home secretary, Sir Maurice Oldfield, the former head of MI6, Harvey Proctor, the former Tory MP, Greville Janner, the former Labour MP, and Gen Sir Hugh Beach.
Beech told police he had witnessed the men murder three boys and claimed Mr. Proctor had attempted to castrate one boy using a penknife.
Metropolitan Police detectives described Beech’s claims as “credible and true” and spent two years and millions of pounds investigating the lies.
Speaking to The Telegraph following Beech’s release from prison, Mr. Proctor, the only victim who is still alive, said: “I treat the early release of Carl Beech from his 18-year prison sentence in the same way that I treat the man himself – with cold contempt and icy disdain.
“God willing, Mr. Beech now has many years in which to rebuild his life. I do not. He stole the twilight of my years from me, and from my partner. The damage he inflicted was deliberate, calculated and devastating.”
A spokesman for the Met Police said: “Our handling of Operation Midland remains a matter of deep regret, and we are committed to ensuring these errors are never repeated.
“Operation Midland has rightly been subject to extensive scrutiny, including an independent review in 2016. While the IOPC [Independent Office for Police Conduct] found no evidence of officer misconduct, their investigation exposed serious failings, and we have taken steps to improve investigative standards across the force.
“Specifically, the Met has strengthened how we apply for and manage search warrants. This has improved the quality, consistency and legal robustness of warrant applications.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Carl Beech’s crimes were shocking and had far-reaching consequences, and our thoughts remain with all those affected.
“Offenders released on licence are subject to strict conditions and can be returned to prison immediately if they breach them.”
Lifestyle & Culture Editor
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