Police searched the home of former Tory MP Harvey Proctor yesterday while investigating allegations of a historic paedophile ring in Westminster.

The former Basildon and Billericay MP (pictured) was forced to quit Parliament in 1987 after pleading guilty to acts of gross indecency involving underage rent boys.

Always on the extreme right of the party, Proctor was elected as MP for Basildon in 1979 after a campaign in which he argued in favour of restricting the number of “coloured” immigrants.

He went on to be chairman of the ultra-reactionary Monday Club’s immigration and repatriation committee.

In June 1986, newspapers claimed that Proctor had taken part in the spanking and caning of male prostitutes, aged between 17 and 21, in his London flat. The age of consent for gay men was still 21 at that time.

At his trial in May 1987, Proctor pleaded guilty and was fined a total of £1,450.

Speaking yesterday a Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that “officers from Operation Midland are carrying out a search of an address in Grantham in connection with their inquiries.”

Midland was launched by the Met following allegations that boys were sexually abused at sex parties held at the exclusive Dolphin Square apartment block near the Houses of Parliament.

It is also examining claims that three of the victims were murdered.

Mr Proctor, 68, who now works for the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, told BBC Radio 4: “I find myself in a Kafka-esque fantasy situation.

“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 Members of Parliament or generals or the military.”

Mr Proctor said he was keen to be interviewed by police as soon as possible to clear his name.

Asked if he had been aware of the existence of a VIP paedophile ring operating in Westminster, Mr Proctor told Today: “Absolutely not, no. If I had known about it at the time, I would have contacted the police.

“I believe the number of victims grows by the day, and the number of alleged perpetrators — through death — diminishes. That is a problem. It’s certainly a problem for me. My problem is that I am still very much alive.”