Carl Beech: Seven lies that gave 'VIP paedophile' accuser away

Carl Beech claimed he had been abused by a VIP paedophile ring - but many of his claims - including those about his hatred of swimming - made his story unravel.

On Monday, the former NHS manager was found guilty of making false allegations of murder and child sexual abuse against a string of public figures.

His claims had triggered a £2m Metropolitan Police investigation which ended in no arrests or charges being made.

So what are the seven lies that gave him away?

Beech claimed that being tortured at swimming pools by having his head held under water by a "group" at Dolphin Square had given him a life fear of and inability to swim.

The reality was he enjoyed swimming and did so all over the world, appearing a happy and healthy child - from theme parks to snorkelling on honeymoon. He even had a diving lesson with an oxygen tank.

He said he was subjected to electric shock treatment and suffered countless fractures to his head and body, puncture wounds to his groin - which he sketched for his counsellor.

But his ex-wife never noticed any marks on his body and medical records only show a skiing injury sustained aged 15. He refused even a very basic medical examination during the police investigation.

Beech accused the former Tory MP of having threatened to cut his genitals with a pen-knife. The knife, held together by two epaulettes from "military officers", was handed to the inquiry during a police interview.

But his wife recognised the pen-knife - as an item stored among Beech's treasures in his "happy memories" box. Police forensic tests came back negative.

The paedophile said he was regularly taken out of school and abused at more than 20 locations across London and the South East from the ages of 7 to 16.

But school reports show his attendance was good - indeed one year he even received an award for 100% punctuality.

Beech sketched for police the locations he was abused at based, he said, on memories "flashing up in his head".

His initial images from 2012 were more akin to a toddler's drawing. But by 2014 they featured the precise number of steps at the Carlton Club. This is because they were all the product of extensive research readily available by internet search and matched to Beech's devices.

He said he witnessed the murder of three children. Scott, who was run over because "the group" would not allow him to have friendships; Martin Allen, missing since 1979, who was allegedly tied up and stabbed by Harvey Proctor; another child selected to be murdered in front of Beech.

Extensive inquiries revealed Scott never existed, while the brother of Martin Allen was given false hope that his brother's disappearance could finally be explained.

A supposed witness, named "Fred", was apparently liaising with Beech via a Protonmail account, and eventually contacted police directly to express his fears over cooperating with the investigation.

Investigations proved 'Fred' never existed and the emails were revealed by Proton Technologies' HQ in Geneva to have been registered by Beech himself.