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Ted Heath: IPCC to probe alleged failings in child abuse investigation Ted Heath: IPCC to probe alleged coverup in child abuse investigation
(about 1 hour 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 police watchdog is to investigate an alleged coverup of child sex abuse claims against the former 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) will investigate whether Wiltshire police shelved a criminal inquiry after a suspect threatened to expose the former Conservative premier as a paedophile.
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. Investigators will also attempt to discover whether the force pursued the suspect’s claims against Heath, which were made in the 90s.
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.
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.”
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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”. Separately, Wiltshire police has reopened its own inquiries into claims of abuse against Heath, who was the prime minister between 1970 and 1974 and lived in Salisbury for many years. He died in 2005 aged 89.
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 developments come amid a flurry of historical abuse allegations against prominent figures. The IPCC’s latest inquiry has been triggered by a retired senior officer who served as a constable in Wiltshire police in the 90s.
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. The watchdog said in a statement: “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.
“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. “In addition to this allegation, the IPCC will examine whether Wiltshire police subsequently took any steps to investigate these claims.”
“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. The commission will investigate claims that a suspect in a criminal inquiry threatened to expose Heath as a child abuser if pursued for an alleged criminal offence.
“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.” It is not known whether the person was ever arrested or charged, or the nature of the suspected crime. However, sources have confirmed that the criminal case against the suspect was eventually dropped.
Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner, Angus Macpherson, said the force had informed his office about the referral to the IPCC. The former detective approached Wiltshire police with claims of a coverup in July 2014. The allegations were examined by the force and then passed on to the IPCC in March 2015.
“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. A spokesman for Wiltshire police said: “Following the announcement today regarding an independent investigation by the IPCC into allegations concerning how Wiltshire police handled an alleged claim of child sex abuse made in the 1990s, we are carrying out inquiries to identify if there are any witnesses or victims who support the allegations of child sex abuse.”
“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 fearsRelated: 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. He confirmed Heath had been “named in relation to offences concerning children”, 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.”
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 70s 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. Government papers uncovered last month in the wake of 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.
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, the late Sir Peter Morrison, former diplomat Sir Peter Hayman and former minister Sir William van Straubenzee.