This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/06/ted-heath-brothel-keeper-case-was-dropped-over-lack-of-evidence-barrister

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ted Heath: brothel-keeper case was dropped over lack of evidence – barrister Ted Heath: brothel-keeper case was dropped over lack of evidence – barrister
(about 3 hours later)
The barrister who withdrew a 1990s prosecution against the brothel-keeper at the centre of the Sir Edward Heath child-abuse controversy knew that she had planned to make allegations against the former prime minister but has insisted he dropped the case for other reasons.The barrister who withdrew a 1990s prosecution against the brothel-keeper at the centre of the Sir Edward Heath child-abuse controversy knew that she had planned to make allegations against the former prime minister but has insisted he dropped the case for other reasons.
Nigel Seed QC, who is now a judge, said police told him that Myra Forde intended to accuse Heath of using male sex workers, in her trial at Winchester crown court in 1992. But, contrary to a claim by a retired Wiltshire police officer, Seed said he dropped the case because the three witnesses in the case refused to give evidence.Nigel Seed QC, who is now a judge, said police told him that Myra Forde intended to accuse Heath of using male sex workers, in her trial at Winchester crown court in 1992. But, contrary to a claim by a retired Wiltshire police officer, Seed said he dropped the case because the three witnesses in the case refused to give evidence.
In a letter to the Times, Seed said three witnesses, all sex workers who allegedly worked for Forde at her brothel in Salisbury, Wiltshire, failed or refused to give evidence at court, leaving him with no choice but to offer no evidence.In a letter to the Times, Seed said three witnesses, all sex workers who allegedly worked for Forde at her brothel in Salisbury, Wiltshire, failed or refused to give evidence at court, leaving him with no choice but to offer no evidence.
The intervention from Seed, who has not been approached by the authorities, further obscures the picture of claims against Heath, which are to be examined by a nationally coordinated police investigation.The intervention from Seed, who has not been approached by the authorities, further obscures the picture of claims against Heath, which are to be examined by a nationally coordinated police investigation.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) sparked a flurry of revelations when it revealed it was investigating claims by a retired senior officer that Wiltshire police dropped a prosecution against a suspect – later revealed to be Forde – because threats were made to expose Heath as a paedophile.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) sparked a flurry of revelations when it revealed it was investigating claims by a retired senior officer that Wiltshire police dropped a prosecution against a suspect – later revealed to be Forde – because threats were made to expose Heath as a paedophile.
Forde, 67, who was ultimately convicted twice for running brothels, denied making any such threat in a statement released by her solicitor.Forde, 67, who was ultimately convicted twice for running brothels, denied making any such threat in a statement released by her solicitor.
But Seed has provided a different account.But Seed has provided a different account.
“On the day of her trial there was a large number of reporters at the court,” he said. “I was informed by the police that this was because the defendant, who had been on bail, had let it be known that if the case progressed as far as her having to give evidence she intended to allege that she had provided rent boys to Edward Heath.”“On the day of her trial there was a large number of reporters at the court,” he said. “I was informed by the police that this was because the defendant, who had been on bail, had let it be known that if the case progressed as far as her having to give evidence she intended to allege that she had provided rent boys to Edward Heath.”
Seed said there was no suggestion the men were underage or “anything more than male prostitutes” and furthermore these were “unsubstantiated assertions”.Seed said there was no suggestion the men were underage or “anything more than male prostitutes” and furthermore these were “unsubstantiated assertions”.
“The decision for the case to proceed no further was mine and was based on the lack of evidence and had nothing whatsoever to do with any potential allegations against Edward Heath.”“The decision for the case to proceed no further was mine and was based on the lack of evidence and had nothing whatsoever to do with any potential allegations against Edward Heath.”
A nationally coordinated response to emerging allegations against Heath is seen as necessary to bring together a range of inquiries and is likely to be announced by the end of this week.A nationally coordinated response to emerging allegations against Heath is seen as necessary to bring together a range of inquiries and is likely to be announced by the end of this week.
After the IPCC announced its inquiry, Wiltshire police launched a fresh appeal for any potential victims or witnesses of abuse by Heath to come forward. Shortly after, Jersey, Kent and Hampshire police forces confirmed they too were investigating claims against the former Tory leader.After the IPCC announced its inquiry, Wiltshire police launched a fresh appeal for any potential victims or witnesses of abuse by Heath to come forward. Shortly after, Jersey, Kent and Hampshire police forces confirmed they too were investigating claims against the former Tory leader.
Scotland Yard said it had been approached in April with an allegation of abuse against Heath but there was not enough evidence for the force to pursue the claim.Scotland Yard said it had been approached in April with an allegation of abuse against Heath but there was not enough evidence for the force to pursue the claim.
However, it has refused to confirm or deny reports that allegations against Heath form part of its Operation Midland inquiry into abuse by high-profile figures in the 1970s and 1980s at various locations including Dolphin Square.However, it has refused to confirm or deny reports that allegations against Heath form part of its Operation Midland inquiry into abuse by high-profile figures in the 1970s and 1980s at various locations including Dolphin Square.
Heath is one of about 76 politicians – some alive and some dead – who have been or are still being investigated by forces across the country examining allegations of sexual abuse of children. The identities of most of the politicians have been kept out of the public domain.Heath is one of about 76 politicians – some alive and some dead – who have been or are still being investigated by forces across the country examining allegations of sexual abuse of children. The identities of most of the politicians have been kept out of the public domain.
Following the conflicting accounts from the former brothel-keeper and Seed, Wiltshire police declined to say who was interviewed as part of the forces’ eight-month investigation into claims from a former senior officer before passing their findings on to the IPCC.
“Since this information came to the attention of the force, an investigative team have been working closely with a number of key stakeholders. Due to the ongoing investigation it would not be appropriate to go into any further detail at this time,” a police spokeswoman said.
She confirmed reports that the force has received a number of new claims of abuse against Heath since conducting a press conference in front if Heath’s former home in Salisbury on Monday.
The IPCC is now expected to examine the claims from Seed, Forde and her solicitor as part of their inquiries into an alleged coverup. A spokesperson for the IPCC declined to say who they will be interviewing as part of their inquiry, or when they hope to conclude.