Tory MP Peter Bottomley, who successfully sued the Mail on Sunday for libel three decades ago over untrue accusations about sex abuse at a children’s home, has spoken out about the persistent rumours about him that are doing the rounds on conspiracy theory websites. Talking to the Today programme, Bottomley denies ever having visited Elm Guest House, where a VIP paedo ring is alleged to have existed, and warns he will sue anyone who makes untrue allegations about him online:

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“People are trying to restart [the rumours], people are trying to somehow to connect it to the Elm Guest House, a place I’ve not been to, where I’ve not been involved. And I give this public warning: if any substantial publisher links me in any defamatory way, they can expect the same kind of action as the Mail on Sunday got.”

Guido’s inbox is full of readers demanding that this blog publishes the names of alleged paedophiles that are being circulated online. As Bottomley’s warning makes clear to people who did not get the message even after the McAlpine case, no names can or will be named unless there is more evidence than the online ramblings of a conspiracy theorist…