FORMER prime minister Sir Edward Heath is under investigation for child sex abuse following claims allegedly made in the 1990s.

A retired senior officer says Wiltshire Police failed to pursue allegations against Sir Edward at the time.

The officer claims someone threatend to expose Sir Edward, who lived in The Close for 20 years until he died in 2005, for his alleged involvment in offences concerning children.

Now the police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the claims against Wiltshire Police.

And Wiltshire Police are investigating the allegations against Sir Edward Heath.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We are carrying out enquiries to identify if there are any witnesses or victims who support the allegations of child sex abuse.

The IPCC investigation will specifically consider how the force responded to allegations when they were received in the 1990’s.

Wilthsire Police said: “Sir Edward Heath has been named in relation to offences concerning children.

"We would like to hear from anyone who has any relevant information that may assist us in our enquiries or anyone who believes they may have been a victim."

The police are working closely with the NSPCC to ensure any victims are appropriately supported. 

“We take all reports of child abuse, either current or that occurred in the past very seriously.

“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.

“Please call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk as they have dedicated staff in place to deal with victims or if you have information that may help police please call us via 101.”

Chief Executive of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, said: “It’s important that people who believe they have been victims of abuse have the confidence to speak out knowing that their voices will be listened to.

"Whether abuse happened in the past, or is occurring today, whether those being accused are authority figures or not, allegations of crimes against children must be investigated thoroughly.

"While some people wait years before speaking out, we would urge them to act quickly so they can get help as soon as possible. Our trained helpline counsellors are always on duty round the clock to listen and provide assistance.”

An extract from Sir Edward Heath's obituary in 2005:

Sir Edward moved to Salisbury in 1985, after his parliamentary private secretary, Salisbury MP Robert Key, had told him that Arundells, a house partly dating from 1280, had become available in the Cathedral Close.

Sir Edward had visited Salisbury in 1938, when he wrote and performed the music for a production by the Oxford University Balliol Players, and said he had instantly fallen in love with the city.

He soon became a popular resident of The Close and regularly hosted parties and gatherings at his home.

Sir Edward, who was knighted in 1992, was often spotted in Salisbury’s shops and he liked to visit the market and talk to stallholders, who called him ‘Ted’.

He was also a regular at the King’s Head, in Redlynch, which threw a party for him in 2000, to celebrate his 50 years as an MP.