The man known as 'Nick', whose accusations sparked the VIP paedophile investigation and who has been charged with perverting the course of justice, can today be named as Carl Beech.

The real identity of Mr Beech, a 50-year-old former NHS manager and father of one, had been shrouded in secrecy since he first came forward four years ago claiming he had been sexually abused by a group of high profile figures and leading politicians when he was a child in the 1970s and 1980s.

But he can finally be named after a legal restriction was lifted during a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

It can now be revealed that Mr Beech is a former governor of two schools. Born in Wrexham, his mother is a retired Church of England vicar.

After leaving school he qualified as a nurse before moving into NHS management, becoming the head of patient advice, liaison services and complaints at a large trust. He is also a fellow of the Institute of Health Management.

He married a fellow nurse in 1992 and they have one son, but the marriage broke down a number of years ago.

In 2014 Scotland Yard launched a major criminal investigation, Operation Midland, after Mr Beech came forward and told detectives he had been the victim of historic abuse.