Westminster paedophile accuser 'Nick' identified as judge lifts legal restriction

Media win right to reveal name of Carl Beech, 50, who faces 13 charges

Carl Beech prompted an investigation into claims of a Westminster paedophile ring

The man known as “Nick” whose allegations sparked the Westminster sex abuse probe can be identified after a judge lifted a legal restriction.

Carl Beech, 50, who is accused of 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one count of fraud, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link.

Judge Paul Sloan QC, the Recorder of Newcastle, lifted a reporting restriction that prevented the media from identifying the defendant.

No pleas have been entered, and Mr Beech will stand trial on 7 May next year. The hearing, which has been put back, will take place at Newcastle Crown Court and should last six to eight weeks.

Last month Mr Beech’s barrister Raymond Tully told a court: “We anticipate that the matter will be fully contested.”

The Metropolitan Police launched Operation Midland after it received allegations of a VIP paedophile ring operating in Westminster.

However, the £2.5m probe closed after finding no evidence of any wrongdoing.

In September, Northumbria Police passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which led to Beech being charged.