Paul Settle is a retired Metropolitan Police Service Detective Chief Inspector, who oversaw the investigation into the alleged Westminster ‘VIP’ paedophile ring, and Operation Vincente
As a seasoned detective with an extensive background in murder investigations, covert intelligence, counterterrorism, and even running the intelligence centre for the 2012 Olympics, my journey through the ranks of the Metropolitan Police was marked by a commitment to integrity and professionalism.
However, my career faced a significant and unwarranted derailment due to the unfounded and politically charged paedophile allegations brought forward by former Labour MP Tom Watson.
My career in the Metropolitan Police began humbly, patrolling the streets as a 19-year-old PC. Over the years, I ascended through the ranks, handling some of the most harrowing and challenging cases, including meeting the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was tragically shot by police, and working with the Prince’s Trust.
However, the turning point came when I was appointed to investigate the allegations of a Westminster paedophile ring following Tom Watson’s bombshell statement in Parliament in 2012. Watson – then MP for West Bromwich East – told the House of Commons there was “clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to parliament and Number 10”.
Watson’s public declarations led to a deluge of over 450 allegations, which my small team of six was tasked with investigating. Despite the enormity of the task, we approached each allegation with the utmost seriousness and diligence. Among these was a claim against Leon Brittan, a distinguished former Home Secretary, which we thoroughly investigated only to find no corroborating evidence.
The complainant, prompted by Watson’s statements, had significant credibility issues. Despite exhaustive efforts, we found no proof of their alleged encounter with Lord Brittan. After a thorough review by the Crown Prosecution Service, who were unaware of the high-profile nature of the case, it was determined that there was no basis for further action. I logged this decision, believing the matter to be closed.
To my shock, Watson intervened directly, writing to the Director of Public Prosecutions and demanding a review of the decision. This led to my abrupt removal from the investigation in May 2014. My superiors, seemingly nervous about Watson’s political influence, made me a sacrificial lamb, undermining my professional judgment and ultimately ending my career.
The relentless political pressure resulted in a reopening of the case, and Lord Brittan, then gravely ill with cancer, was subjected to an interview under caution. The psychological toll on me was immense, leading to severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. I was left isolated, betrayed by the very institution I had served loyally for decades.
In a tragic twist, Lord Brittan passed away with these baseless allegations still hanging over him, unaware that he had been cleared. Upon Lord Brittan’s death, I recall Watson repeating the line used by Carl Beech, who he met several times in Parliament, describing Lord Brittan as “close to evil as any human being could get.” Watson showed no regard for the grieving Brittan family.
It was not until October 2015, when I testified before the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, that the full extent of the “baseless witch-hunt” was exposed. Sir Richard Henriques’ subsequent report vindicated my actions, highlighting the Metropolitan Police’s catastrophic failings while praising my professionalism and integrity.
Watson’s role in this debacle cannot be understated.
His politically motivated intervention and relentless pursuit of unfounded allegations caused irreparable harm to both the accused and those tasked with investigating the claims. This was not Watson’s only intervention. He interfered so much in Operation Midland and exerted so much pressure on the Met throughout Operation Midland that a review of ‘how we can engage with Tom Watson‘ was ordered, listing it as a ‘priority’- as corroborated by the Henriques Report.
His apology following Lord Brittan’s death did little to address the immense distress caused to the Brittan family and the damage inflicted on my career.
Despite Watson’s attempt to minimise his involvement and interference in active police investigations during a 2023 appearance on Good Morning Britain, the facts remain clear. His actions were not those of a public servant seeking justice but of a politician leveraging serious accusations. I was so appalled by this appearance that I wrote to Good Morning Britain to say that I was willing to appear on the show and outline exactly what Watson’s role was, his interaction with the police. I received no response.
The ordeal left me, and my family shattered. The Metropolitan Police’s failure to support their officers, combined with Watson’s actions, resulted in a gross injustice. We must hold individuals accountable for such actions to prevent future abuses of power and ensure that the pursuit of justice remains untainted by any political agenda.
I was horrified when Watson was ennobled.
Despite fervent representations by the victims of Carl Beech’s lies and facilitators of those lies, such as Watson, he was ushered into ermine. He used Parliamentary Privilege in the House of Commons 2012 to whip up a moral frenzy and create a witch-hunt.
What’s more, is that Sir Keir Starmer disregarded the House of Lords Appointments Commission’s decision to refuse Watson’s peerage in 2020 because of his role in various scandals. I believe this says a lot about Starmer and his judgement, but also about Watson’s distinct lack of shame in accepting.
To add further misery to the whole debacle, Watson used his Maiden Speech in the House of Lords – I note to almost empty Conservative benches – to apologise to Lady Diana Brittan. While I hugely admire Lady Brittan and her fortitude, I could not help but feel overwhelming sadness and anger on behalf of Lord Edwin Bramall, Sir Edward Heath, and of course Harvey Proctor, the last surviving victim of Beech’s heinous lies.
Where were their apologies? Watson’s selective remorse seems to be an attempt to ingratiate himself with Lord Brittan’s contemporaries in the House of Lords; while conveniently ignoring the broader swath of lives he shattered through his reckless actions.
I cannot end without praising Harvey Proctor, for whom I have great respect.
His immense fortitude, dignity, and indefatigable campaign to hold the Metropolitan Police Service, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the wider establishment accountable for their actions cannot be overstated. This is why I openly endorse recent murmurings that Proctor should be elevated to the House of Lords. With an unwavering sense of public duty, he has singlehandedly sought justice and raised awareness for those who suffer, and will inevitably suffer, from false allegations.
It should have been Proctor who was ennobled, not Watson. Proctor’s relentless pursuit of truth and his advocacy for victims of false accusations exemplify the qualities that should be honoured in our highest institutions.
My experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing political motives to interfere with the impartial administration of justice. The legacy of Tom Watson’s actions should be a cautionary tale for all, emphasising the need for integrity and accountability in both law enforcement – and politics.
Paul Settle is a retired Metropolitan Police Service Detective Chief Inspector, who oversaw the investigation into the alleged Westminster ‘VIP’ paedophile ring, and Operation Vincente
As a seasoned detective with an extensive background in murder investigations, covert intelligence, counterterrorism, and even running the intelligence centre for the 2012 Olympics, my journey through the ranks of the Metropolitan Police was marked by a commitment to integrity and professionalism.
However, my career faced a significant and unwarranted derailment due to the unfounded and politically charged paedophile allegations brought forward by former Labour MP Tom Watson.
My career in the Metropolitan Police began humbly, patrolling the streets as a 19-year-old PC. Over the years, I ascended through the ranks, handling some of the most harrowing and challenging cases, including meeting the family of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was tragically shot by police, and working with the Prince’s Trust.
However, the turning point came when I was appointed to investigate the allegations of a Westminster paedophile ring following Tom Watson’s bombshell statement in Parliament in 2012. Watson – then MP for West Bromwich East – told the House of Commons there was “clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to parliament and Number 10”.
Watson’s public declarations led to a deluge of over 450 allegations, which my small team of six was tasked with investigating. Despite the enormity of the task, we approached each allegation with the utmost seriousness and diligence. Among these was a claim against Leon Brittan, a distinguished former Home Secretary, which we thoroughly investigated only to find no corroborating evidence.
The complainant, prompted by Watson’s statements, had significant credibility issues. Despite exhaustive efforts, we found no proof of their alleged encounter with Lord Brittan. After a thorough review by the Crown Prosecution Service, who were unaware of the high-profile nature of the case, it was determined that there was no basis for further action. I logged this decision, believing the matter to be closed.
To my shock, Watson intervened directly, writing to the Director of Public Prosecutions and demanding a review of the decision. This led to my abrupt removal from the investigation in May 2014. My superiors, seemingly nervous about Watson’s political influence, made me a sacrificial lamb, undermining my professional judgment and ultimately ending my career.
The relentless political pressure resulted in a reopening of the case, and Lord Brittan, then gravely ill with cancer, was subjected to an interview under caution. The psychological toll on me was immense, leading to severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. I was left isolated, betrayed by the very institution I had served loyally for decades.
In a tragic twist, Lord Brittan passed away with these baseless allegations still hanging over him, unaware that he had been cleared. Upon Lord Brittan’s death, I recall Watson repeating the line used by Carl Beech, who he met several times in Parliament, describing Lord Brittan as “close to evil as any human being could get.” Watson showed no regard for the grieving Brittan family.
It was not until October 2015, when I testified before the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, that the full extent of the “baseless witch-hunt” was exposed. Sir Richard Henriques’ subsequent report vindicated my actions, highlighting the Metropolitan Police’s catastrophic failings while praising my professionalism and integrity.
Watson’s role in this debacle cannot be understated.
His politically motivated intervention and relentless pursuit of unfounded allegations caused irreparable harm to both the accused and those tasked with investigating the claims. This was not Watson’s only intervention. He interfered so much in Operation Midland and exerted so much pressure on the Met throughout Operation Midland that a review of ‘how we can engage with Tom Watson‘ was ordered, listing it as a ‘priority’- as corroborated by the Henriques Report.
His apology following Lord Brittan’s death did little to address the immense distress caused to the Brittan family and the damage inflicted on my career.
Despite Watson’s attempt to minimise his involvement and interference in active police investigations during a 2023 appearance on Good Morning Britain, the facts remain clear. His actions were not those of a public servant seeking justice but of a politician leveraging serious accusations. I was so appalled by this appearance that I wrote to Good Morning Britain to say that I was willing to appear on the show and outline exactly what Watson’s role was, his interaction with the police. I received no response.
The ordeal left me, and my family shattered. The Metropolitan Police’s failure to support their officers, combined with Watson’s actions, resulted in a gross injustice. We must hold individuals accountable for such actions to prevent future abuses of power and ensure that the pursuit of justice remains untainted by any political agenda.
I was horrified when Watson was ennobled.
Despite fervent representations by the victims of Carl Beech’s lies and facilitators of those lies, such as Watson, he was ushered into ermine. He used Parliamentary Privilege in the House of Commons 2012 to whip up a moral frenzy and create a witch-hunt.
What’s more, is that Sir Keir Starmer disregarded the House of Lords Appointments Commission’s decision to refuse Watson’s peerage in 2020 because of his role in various scandals. I believe this says a lot about Starmer and his judgement, but also about Watson’s distinct lack of shame in accepting.
To add further misery to the whole debacle, Watson used his Maiden Speech in the House of Lords – I note to almost empty Conservative benches – to apologise to Lady Diana Brittan. While I hugely admire Lady Brittan and her fortitude, I could not help but feel overwhelming sadness and anger on behalf of Lord Edwin Bramall, Sir Edward Heath, and of course Harvey Proctor, the last surviving victim of Beech’s heinous lies.
Where were their apologies? Watson’s selective remorse seems to be an attempt to ingratiate himself with Lord Brittan’s contemporaries in the House of Lords; while conveniently ignoring the broader swath of lives he shattered through his reckless actions.
I cannot end without praising Harvey Proctor, for whom I have great respect.
His immense fortitude, dignity, and indefatigable campaign to hold the Metropolitan Police Service, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the wider establishment accountable for their actions cannot be overstated. This is why I openly endorse recent murmurings that Proctor should be elevated to the House of Lords. With an unwavering sense of public duty, he has singlehandedly sought justice and raised awareness for those who suffer, and will inevitably suffer, from false allegations.
It should have been Proctor who was ennobled, not Watson. Proctor’s relentless pursuit of truth and his advocacy for victims of false accusations exemplify the qualities that should be honoured in our highest institutions.
My experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of allowing political motives to interfere with the impartial administration of justice. The legacy of Tom Watson’s actions should be a cautionary tale for all, emphasising the need for integrity and accountability in both law enforcement – and politics.