CLAIMS Wiltshire Police ignored allegations of child sex abuse involving Sir Edward Heath are being investigated.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to investigate allegations concerning the force’s handling of an alleged claim of child sexual abuse made in the 1990s.

"It is alleged that a criminal prosecution was not pursued, when a person threatened to expose that Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children," a statement from the IPCC said.

"In addition to this allegation, the IPCC will examine whether Wiltshire Police subsequently took any steps to investigate these claims.

"The allegations were referred to the IPCC by Wiltshire Police following allegations made by a retired senior officer."

A statement issued by 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 1990’s, we are carrying out enquiries to identify if there are any witnesses or victims who support the allegations of child sex abuse.

“On becoming aware of the information, Wiltshire Police informed the IPCC and later made a mandatory referral. The IPCC investigation will specifically consider how the Force responded to allegations when they were received in the 1990s.

“Sir Edward Heath has been named in relation to offences concerning children. 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 enquiries or anyone who believes they may have been a victim.

“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.

“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.”

Speaking outside Sir Edward's former home in the shadow of Salisbury Cathedral, Superintendent Sean Memory said: "The allegation is that a trial was due to take place in the 1990s and information was received in that trial that Sir Ted Heath was involved in the abuse of children and the allegation is from the result of that information that the trial never took place.

"A retired senior police officer has come forward towards the end of 2014 indicating that they were aware of this information.

"So between then and March this year we have worked tirelessly to establish the facts of that allegation to a point where in March this year we have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Police Complaints commission who are leading the investigation into whether we did in fact mishandle that case in the 1990s.

"This is an appeal for victims in particular if you have been the victim of any crime from Sir Ted Heath or any historical sexual offence, or you are a witness or you have any information about this, then please come forward.

"We are working closely with the NSPCC. I have a number of staff trained to deal with sexual offences waiting for any calls that come forward. Any calls that we do receive will be treated with the utmost confidence."

Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Swindon and Wiltshire, said: “Wiltshire Police referred the allegations to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, and advised my office of the referral.

“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. 

“It is important that the IPCC investigation is given full co-operation. I will be watching closely to see if any evidence of corruption or poor practice is uncovered.

“My priority as Commissioner is to put the interests of victims at the heart of everything we do, as well as holding the Force to account for its performance. 

“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.

“We have often seen from high profile national cases that victims, who have not spoken of their abuse for many years, find their voice and speak out. I want any victims of child sex abuse, whether current or historic, to know they can have confidence in the service they will receive from Wiltshire Police.

“I’m pleased that the NSPCC have experienced advisors standing by to offer support to anyone for whom news of this investigation has rekindled troubling memories.”

NSPCC chief executive 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." "

As prime minister, Sir Edward presided over some of the most turbulent years in Britain's post war history. His time in Downing Street - from 1970 to 1974 - was marked by widespread industrial unrest with power blackouts and much of the country reduced to a three-day working week.

For his supporters, his crowning achievement was to negotiate Britain's entry into the Common Market as the EU was then known - a decision that continues to divide Conservatives 40 years on.

His time in office ended ignominiously after he lost a snap general election which he had called to try to bolster his authority in the face of a second coal miners' strike.

He never forgave Margaret Thatcher for ousting him as Tory leader, for years nursing a grudge.

A lifelong bachelor, he was famously reticent about his private life focusing his energies away from politics on his twin passions of sailing and classical music.

He had a reputation of being cold and indifferent towards women. One biographer concluded he may have been a latent or repressed homosexual while another thought he was "pretty well sexless" having failed to find any evidence of any intimate relationships with either men or women.

In 2007 Brian Coleman, a senior Tory on the London Assembly, caused a stir when he claimed it was common knowledge in Conservative circles that Sir Edward had been warned by police in the 1950s over his "cottaging activities".

However no corroborating evidence was produced to support the allegation which was disputed by others in the party.

Sir Edward, who was created a knight of the Garter in 1992, and finally stood down as an MP in 2001 after 51 years in Parliament. He died in July 2005, aged 89.

A statement issued by the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation said: "We welcome the investigation by Wiltshire Police, which we wholeheartedly believe will clear Sir Edward's name and we will cooperate fully with the police in their inquiries."