THE national news has been dominated by coverage of the decision by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to announce their investigation of Wiltshire Police for its apparent failure to properly investigate allegations against Sir Edward Heath, who resided for 20 years in The Close in Salisbury.

The public nature of this announcement provoked “enquiries” by other forces and widespread speculation about Sir Edward’s life in Salisbury and before, as well as scrutiny of insalubrious establishments in the city.

I met Sir Edward twice but certainly cannot claim to have known him. However but I do think it was wrong for the IPCC to make their investigation of Wiltshire Police public until potential evidence and claims had been gathered and examined.

It is completely against natural justice for the private life of a former Prime Minister (or any private citizen) who has been dead ten years to have their lifestyle speculatively examined in the absence of any evidence.

All sexual crime is abhorrent and victims’ claims must be taken seriously but in this case I fear media scrutiny will not assist in bringing forward bone fide victims but simply feed a unhealthy flurry of speculation over someone who served this country diligently for many years.

I would note that from 1965, when the then Edward Heath became Leader of the Opposition, he was subject to extraordinarily close scrutiny by the police and after he became Prime Minister I know his daily movements in and around Salisbury were always accompanied by a police officer.

I hope this matter can be brought to a swift close swiftly. I note some of the rather outlandish claims have already been shown to be without foundation.

I had the opportunity to visit residents in Pembroke House and meet with local businesses and coincidentally, given the week’s news, a senior Wiltshire Police officer – this was a good opportunity to raise some of my concerns and listen carefully to the challenges being faced.

I will be taking back some of the matters raised to Westminster when we reconvene in early September.