Number 10 suggests Tom Watson could be denied peerage after child sex abuse claims dismissed
Downing Street raises the prospect of officials denying the former Labour deputy leader a place in the House of Lords.
Wednesday 26 February 2020 17:24, UK
Downing Street has suggested Tom Watson could be denied a peerage after an independent report dismissed his "sensational" claims of a paedophile network in Westminster.
There have been calls for the former Labour deputy leader to be blocked from joining the House of Lords following Tuesday's publication of a report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
In 2012, Mr 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".
However, in Tuesday's report, the IICSA dismissed any such claims.
It said: "The inquiry has found no evidence to support the most sensational of the various allegations of child sexual abuse made over recent years that there has been a powerful paedophile network operating within Westminster.
"There is no evidence to suggest an organised network of abusers in Westminster, or that individuals with a Westminster connection who sexually abused children were part of a coordinated, organised group."
Mr Watson has previously been criticised for pressuring police officers involved in the disastrous £2.5m investigation into claims of a VIP paedophile ring.
Operation Midland ended after 16 months without a single arrest, while Carl Beech - the fantasist behind the allegations - was jailed after being found guilty of 12 counts of perverting the course of justice and one of fraud.
Mr Watson has previously disputed "multiple inaccuracies" about him following the review into Operation Midland.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has nominated Mr Watson for a peerage but Number 10 on Wednesday raised the prospect of officials denying him a place in the Lords.
Asked about Mr Watson's nomination, a Number 10 spokesman said: "It's not a matter for us, but I'm sure the House of Lords Appointments Commission will be considering the most up-to-date and relevant information."
Harvey Proctor - the former Conservative MP falsely accused of being an abuser and who received an apology from police after being questioned as part of Operation Midland - has insisted Mr Watson "should not be ennobled."
He said: "Tom Watson shamefully hood-winked the country for years to advance his own personal and political position.
"The police and the CPS should now consider arresting him and charging him for the wholesale damage he has done to the likes of the late Field Marshal Lord Bramall, Sir Edward Heath, Lord Brittan and others, including myself."
Sky News has attempted to contact Mr Watson for comment.
Labour leadership contenders Sir Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy will take part in a Sky News debate on Thursday from 8pm.