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Edward Heath abuse claims: Four forces investigating ex-PM Edward Heath abuse claims: Four forces investigating ex-PM
(35 minutes later)
Former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath is being investigated by four police forces as part of their inquiries into allegations of historical child abuse.Former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath is being investigated by four police forces as part of their inquiries into allegations of historical child abuse.
The Met is investigating the late MP, as part of an inquiry into claims of abuse by establishment figures.The Met is investigating the late MP, as part of an inquiry into claims of abuse by establishment figures.
Kent, Jersey and Wiltshire detectives are also investigating him.Kent, Jersey and Wiltshire detectives are also investigating him.
The BBC understands Wiltshire Police halted an inquiry into a brothel keeper in the 1990s after she said Sir Edward was involved in child sexual abuse.The BBC understands Wiltshire Police halted an inquiry into a brothel keeper in the 1990s after she said Sir Edward was involved in child sexual abuse.
Claims made by the woman, that the former PM was a client, meant that she had left herself open to prosecution, according to the BBC's Home Affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani.
The case against her was allegedly discontinued between 1990 and 1995 - but the woman, whose identity is known to the BBC - was later convicted of controlling prostitutes after a successful prosecution by Wiltshire Police.
She was jailed for six years after a trial which included allegations that she had supplied children as young as 13 to her clients.
It is unclear whether or not the force then went back to re-investigate the woman's original allegations against Sir Edward after she was convicted - and this is now part of a corruption inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Wiltshire Police has declined to comment on the case.
'Case dropped''Case dropped'
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said on Monday that it would look at whether Wiltshire officers failed to pursue allegations of child abuse made against Sir Edward, who was prime minister from 1970 to 1974 and died aged 89 at his home in Salisbury. The IPCC said on Monday that it would look at whether Wiltshire officers failed to pursue allegations of child abuse made against Sir Edward, who was prime minister from 1970 to 1974 and died aged 89 at his home in Salisbury.
A retired detective has alleged that claims were made in the 1990s but were not followed up.A retired detective has alleged that claims were made in the 1990s but were not followed up.
The IPCC will also look at whether a criminal prosecution was dropped when a person "threatened to expose that Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children".The IPCC will also look at whether a criminal prosecution was dropped when a person "threatened to expose that Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children".
Wiltshire Police and the NSPCC said they had received "a number of calls" from members of the public after asking for information.Wiltshire Police and the NSPCC said they had received "a number of calls" from members of the public after asking for information.
They said any lines of enquiry would be passed to the relevant police force and followed up.They said any lines of enquiry would be passed to the relevant police force and followed up.
The BBC's Dominic Casciani says the claims made by the female brothel keeper, that the former PM was a client, meant that she had left herself open to prosecution. Kent Police told the BBC it had received a report on Tuesday of a sexual assault having been committed in east Kent in the 1960s.
The case against was allegedly discontinued between 1990 and 1995 - but the woman, whose identity is known to the BBC - was later convicted of controlling prostitutes after a successful prosecution by Wiltshire Police. "The victim has named Sir Edward Heath in connection with the allegation. Detectives are making initial enquiries, and will obtain a full account from the victim. The report has been notified as part of Operation Hydrant," it said in a statement.
The woman was jailed for six years after a trial which included allegations that she had supplied children as young as 13 to her clients. Operation Hydrant is a nationally co-ordinated exercise to collate all allegations of historical abuse involving high profile figures.
It is unclear whether or not the force then went back to re-investigate the woman's original allegations against Sir Edward after she was convicted - and this is now part of the IPCC corruption inquiry.
Wiltshire Police has declined to comment on the case.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Tom Watson said he had referred two allegations of child sexual abuse by Sir Edward to the police since 2012.Meanwhile, Labour MP Tom Watson said he had referred two allegations of child sexual abuse by Sir Edward to the police since 2012.
He said: "I passed them both to the police, who have confirmed to me that at least one of those allegations is being investigated and taken seriously."He said: "I passed them both to the police, who have confirmed to me that at least one of those allegations is being investigated and taken seriously."
He said the different approach to allegations by different forces showed the need for a national police inquiry.He said the different approach to allegations by different forces showed the need for a national police inquiry.
The BBC understands the former prime minister is also among those being looked at as part of Operation Midland.The BBC understands the former prime minister is also among those being looked at as part of Operation Midland.
Operation Midland is examining claims that boys were abused by a group of powerful men from politics, the military and law enforcement agencies at locations across southern England and in London in the 1970s and 1980s.Operation Midland is examining claims that boys were abused by a group of powerful men from politics, the military and law enforcement agencies at locations across southern England and in London in the 1970s and 1980s.
It has focused on the Dolphin Square estate in Pimlico, south-west London.It has focused on the Dolphin Square estate in Pimlico, south-west London.
Separately, the States of Jersey Police has confirmed Sir Edward forms part of Operation Whistle - its investigation into historical allegations of abuse in Jersey.Separately, the States of Jersey Police has confirmed Sir Edward forms part of Operation Whistle - its investigation into historical allegations of abuse in Jersey.
Some of the allegations within the overall investigation relate to abuse "within institutions or by people of public prominence", the Jersey force has said.Some of the allegations within the overall investigation relate to abuse "within institutions or by people of public prominence", the Jersey force has said.
It includes 45 suspects - some of whom are dead or currently unidentified - at four institutions, and currently includes 13 "people of public prominence", the force's website says.It includes 45 suspects - some of whom are dead or currently unidentified - at four institutions, and currently includes 13 "people of public prominence", the force's website says.
'Co-operate fully''Co-operate fully'
Friends of Sir Edward have dismissed the claims saying there is not a shred of evidence to link him to abuse.Friends of Sir Edward have dismissed the claims saying there is not a shred of evidence to link him to abuse.
The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation, which operates the museum at Arundells, his home in Salisbury, said it welcomed the investigation.The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation, which operates the museum at Arundells, his home in Salisbury, said it welcomed the investigation.
"We wholeheartedly believe [it] will clear Sir Edward's name and we will co-operate fully with the police in their enquiries," a spokesman said."We wholeheartedly believe [it] will clear Sir Edward's name and we will co-operate fully with the police in their enquiries," a spokesman said.
Sir Edward led the 1970-1974 Conservative government and took Britain into what was then the European Economic Community.Sir Edward led the 1970-1974 Conservative government and took Britain into what was then the European Economic Community.
He lost his leadership of the party to Margaret Thatcher in 1975 - something he never forgave her for and he refused to serve in her cabinet.He lost his leadership of the party to Margaret Thatcher in 1975 - something he never forgave her for and he refused to serve in her cabinet.
He was also a successful author, a renowned classical musician and a world-class yachtsman.He was also a successful author, a renowned classical musician and a world-class yachtsman.
If you would like to speak to the BBC about any of the issues raised in this story you can do so by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukIf you would like to speak to the BBC about any of the issues raised in this story you can do so by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Anything you tell us will be treated in confidence.Anything you tell us will be treated in confidence.