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| Ted Heath: IPCC to probe alleged failings in child abuse investigation | Ted Heath: IPCC to probe alleged failings in child abuse investigation |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The independent police watchdog has launched a formal inquiry into claims that Wiltshire police did not properly investigate allegations of sexual offences against children involving the former Conservative prime minister Edward Heath. | The independent police watchdog has launched a formal inquiry into claims that Wiltshire police did not properly investigate allegations of sexual offences against children involving the former Conservative prime minister Edward Heath. |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the inquiry, linked to a wider investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse, was triggered by claims made by a retired senior police officer. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the inquiry, linked to a wider investigation into allegations of historical sexual abuse, was triggered by claims made by a retired senior police officer. |
| It centres on claims, not that the force failed to pursue a case against Heath himself, but against another person, who had threatened to make allegations against the politician, the IPCC said. | |
| It added: “The IPCC is to investigate allegations Wiltshire police didn’t pursue a prosecution when a person threatened to say Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children.” | It added: “The IPCC is to investigate allegations Wiltshire police didn’t pursue a prosecution when a person threatened to say Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children.” |
| Heath, who died aged 89 in 2005, was prime minister from 1970 to 1974. He lived in Salisbury, Wiltshire, for many years. His former home Arundells is now open to the public. | Heath, who died aged 89 in 2005, was prime minister from 1970 to 1974. He lived in Salisbury, Wiltshire, for many years. His former home Arundells is now open to the public. |
| In a separate statement, the IPCC said: “In addition to this allegation, the IPCC will examine whether Wiltshire police subsequently took any steps to investigate these claims.” | In a separate statement, the IPCC said: “In addition to this allegation, the IPCC will examine whether Wiltshire police subsequently took any steps to investigate these claims.” |
| Related: Thousands of child abuse victims to be invited to testify in truth project | Related: Thousands of child abuse victims to be invited to testify in truth project |
| Wiltshire police said it was “carrying out inquiries to identify if there are any witnesses or victims who support the allegations of child sex abuse”. | Wiltshire police said it was “carrying out inquiries to identify if there are any witnesses or victims who support the allegations of child sex abuse”. |
| The force had informed the IPCC as soon as it learned about the information from the retired officer, it said, adding: “The IPCC investigation will specifically consider how the force responded to allegations when they were received in the 1990s.” | The force had informed the IPCC as soon as it learned about the information from the retired officer, it said, adding: “The IPCC investigation will specifically consider how the force responded to allegations when they were received in the 1990s.” |
| The allegations against Heath centre on alleged offences against children, the force said, adding: “He lived in Salisbury for many years and we would like to hear from anyone who has any relevant information that may assist us in our inquiries or anyone who believes they may have been a victim. | |
| “We are working closely with the NSPCC to ensure that any victims are appropriately supported. They provide trained helpline counsellors to listen and provide assistance. We take all reports of child abuse, either current or that occurred in the past, very seriously. Victims will receive support throughout any investigation and associated judicial process. | “We are working closely with the NSPCC to ensure that any victims are appropriately supported. They provide trained helpline counsellors to listen and provide assistance. We take all reports of child abuse, either current or that occurred in the past, very seriously. Victims will receive support throughout any investigation and associated judicial process. |
| “If there is evidence of offences having been committed we will ensure that, if possible, those responsible are held to account through a thorough and detailed investigation. This includes any other parties who are identified as having been involved in child sex abuse. | “If there is evidence of offences having been committed we will ensure that, if possible, those responsible are held to account through a thorough and detailed investigation. This includes any other parties who are identified as having been involved in child sex abuse. |
| “Some people may never have spoken out about the abuse they have suffered, but we would urge them to please contact us and to not suffer in silence.” | “Some people may never have spoken out about the abuse they have suffered, but we would urge them to please contact us and to not suffer in silence.” |
| Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner, Angus Macpherson, said the force had informed his office about the referral to the IPCC. | Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner, Angus Macpherson, said the force had informed his office about the referral to the IPCC. |
| “The progress of this investigation has been monitored by my office at every stage and I am satisfied that the necessary momentum and engagement with the IPCC has been maintained by Wiltshire police since the information was received. | “The progress of this investigation has been monitored by my office at every stage and I am satisfied that the necessary momentum and engagement with the IPCC has been maintained by Wiltshire police since the information was received. |
| “It is important that the IPCC investigation is given full cooperation. I will be watching closely to see if any evidence of corruption or poor practice is uncovered.” | “It is important that the IPCC investigation is given full cooperation. I will be watching closely to see if any evidence of corruption or poor practice is uncovered.” |
| He added: “I would like to encourage any victims, or anyone with information which could help the investigation, to have the confidence and courage to come forward … I want any victims of child sex abuse, whether current or historical, to know they can have confidence in the service they will receive from Wiltshire police.” | |
| Related: May dodges questions about MI5 failure to act on MP paedophile fears | Related: May dodges questions about MI5 failure to act on MP paedophile fears |
| Heath, who was prime minister for four turbulent years, never married and was famously reticent about his private life. | Heath, who was prime minister for four turbulent years, never married and was famously reticent about his private life. |
| There have been repeated allegations of child sexual abuse in the 1970s and 80s involving senior politicians and MPs. Ministers have appointed a New Zealand judge, Justice Lowell Goddard, to head an independent inquiry into child abuse, both connected to official institutions and elsewhere. Thousands of victims are being invited to testify. | There have been repeated allegations of child sexual abuse in the 1970s and 80s involving senior politicians and MPs. Ministers have appointed a New Zealand judge, Justice Lowell Goddard, to head an independent inquiry into child abuse, both connected to official institutions and elsewhere. Thousands of victims are being invited to testify. |
| Separately, the home secretary, Theresa May, has commissioned a review into whether there had been a coverup of the Home Office’s handling of child abuse allegations in the 80s. The report, by Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the NSPCC, concluded that this could not be proven. | Separately, the home secretary, Theresa May, has commissioned a review into whether there had been a coverup of the Home Office’s handling of child abuse allegations in the 80s. The report, by Peter Wanless, the chief executive of the NSPCC, concluded that this could not be proven. |
| The report into 114 missing Home Office files relating to child abuse in the 80s said last year there was no evidence that they were “deliberately or systematically removed or destroyed to cover up organised child abuse”. | The report into 114 missing Home Office files relating to child abuse in the 80s said last year there was no evidence that they were “deliberately or systematically removed or destroyed to cover up organised child abuse”. |
| “There might have been a coverup,” May said. “I cannot stand here and say the Home Office was not involved in a coverup in the 1980s and that is why I am determined to get to the truth of this.” | “There might have been a coverup,” May said. “I cannot stand here and say the Home Office was not involved in a coverup in the 1980s and that is why I am determined to get to the truth of this.” |
| Government papers uncovered last month after the Wanless report revealed that the then director general of MI5 corresponded with the cabinet secretary in 1986 about an unnamed MP who was alleged to have “a penchant for small boys” but accepted the politician’s word that he did not act improperly. | |
| These papers also mentioned the former home secretary Leon Brittan in the context of such inquiries, as well as Margaret Thatcher’s parliamentary private secretary, Sir Peter Morrison, former diplomat Sir Peter Hayman and former minister Sir William van Straubenzee. | These papers also mentioned the former home secretary Leon Brittan in the context of such inquiries, as well as Margaret Thatcher’s parliamentary private secretary, Sir Peter Morrison, former diplomat Sir Peter Hayman and former minister Sir William van Straubenzee. |