Harvey Proctor
Harvey Proctor denies being part of a 'rent-boy ring'

Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor has denied being part of a "rent-boy ring with Cabinet ministers" after police investigating historical allegations of child abuse raided his home.

Police have carried out searches at his Leicestershire home as part of Operation Midland, which is examining claims boys were sexually abused by key establishment figures in Dolphin Square, London and the South East during the 1970s and 1980s.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, he said: "I have never attended sex parties at Dolphin Square or anywhere else. I have not been part of any rent boy ring with cabinet ministers, other MPs or the military.

"I conducted my private life in a discreet manner, it wasn't I who outed myself, it was the press who did an assortment of things to out me."

Proctor, who became MP from 1979 to 1987, was previously fined £1450 after admitting to four acts of gross indecency with two rent boys under the age of 21 in 1986. Three counts involved a 17-year-old between 1 June and 31 August. The fourth happened on 11 April involving a 19-year-old.

Operation Midland are also examining allegations three young men were murdered, linked to the abuse in Westminster, which Proctor said he knows "nothing about".

He added he had no knowledge about a high-profile paedophile ring in Westminster and had he known he would have reported it to police.

"I am sure some of the allegations (against others) are true but I am sure a lot of allegations are pure and utter fantasy," he said.

The 68-year-old currently lives at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, working for the Duke and Duchess of Rutland.