Ten years after explosive allegations rocked British politics and policing, the spotlight has shifted dramatically.
A woman whose claims once fueled national outrage is now facing criminal charges herself, marking a striking reversal in a saga that began during one of the most turbulent periods in the UK’s handling of historic abuse allegations.
Who Is at the Center of the Case?
Esther Baker, now 43 and from West Derby in Liverpool, has been charged with perverting the course of justice.
Prosecutors allege that the accusations she made a decade ago were not only false but also deliberately harmful.
These claims emerged at a time when public fear and suspicion were running high, following the launch of Operation Midland, the Metropolitan Police’s now-discredited investigation into alleged VIP child abuse.
The Allegations That Sparked National Shockwaves
Baker claimed she was repeatedly raped as a child by powerful figures in British politics.
Among those she accused was former Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming, along with another unnamed politician described as one of the most respected figures of the post-war era.
According to her account, the abuse took place in a forest in Staffordshire when she was between six and 11 years old.
She later went public in a televised interview in 2015, choosing to give up her anonymity.
In that interview, she described uniformed police officers allegedly standing guard while well-known individuals, including members of the House of Lords and a judge, assaulted her and other children in Cannock Chase.
Claims Extended Beyond Staffordshire
Baker also alleged that similar abuse occurred at Dolphin Square, a large and well-known apartment complex in Westminster, London.
These claims added to the sense that the alleged crimes were part of a wider, organized network involving elite figures and protected locations.
Political Backing and Official Recognition
At the height of the controversy, Baker’s case reached Parliament and drew support from several Labour MPs.
Among them was Jess Phillips, who at the time publicly backed Baker and is now serving as a minister responsible for tackling violence against women and girls.
Baker was also granted special status by the national independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, reinforcing the seriousness with which her claims were initially treated.
Investigations That Found No Evidence
Staffordshire Police investigated Baker’s allegations in detail.
In 2015, John Hemming was questioned under caution, but he was never charged.
Two years later, the investigation was formally dropped due to a lack of evidence.
As the case against the accused politicians collapsed, detectives began to scrutinize the claims themselves and the circumstances under which they were made.
The Charges Now Being Brought
The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that Baker is facing four counts of perverting the course of justice.
These charges relate directly to the original child sexual abuse investigation and the impact her allegations allegedly had on police inquiries and public discourse.
Baker is scheduled to appear at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates’ Court on 14 January.
CPS Explains the Decision to Prosecute
Malcolm McHaffie, from the CPS special crime division, stressed that cases like this are approached with extreme caution.
He said prosecutors only move forward when there is sufficient evidence to show allegations were knowingly false, made with malicious intent, and when pursuing charges is clearly in the public interest.
He also confirmed that the CPS worked closely with Staffordshire Police throughout their investigation.
Fallout for Those Accused
Following the collapse of the original case, John Hemming went on to win a libel action over comments made on social media by supporters of Baker, further underlining the personal and reputational damage caused by the allegations.
What Happens Next?
The immediate next step is Baker’s court appearance later this month, where the charges will be formally addressed.
The case is likely to reignite debate about how historic abuse allegations are investigated, how genuine victims are protected, and how the justice system should respond when claims are found to be false.
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