Ted Heath Child Sex Victims Appeal By NSPCC

Potential victims of child sex abuse at the hands of former prime minister Sir Edward Heath are being urged to come forward after a senior police officer claimed an allegation had been made in the 1990s.

Wiltshire Police said the former Conservative prime minister had been named in "relation to offences concerning children" and they wanted to "identify if there are any witnesses or victims" to "support allegations".

The inquiry was sparked after a retired senior police officer claimed that an allegation against Sir Edward was made to the force in the 1990s but officers failed to investigate properly.

Wiltshire police has set up a helpline with the NSPCC urging people to come forward if they have any information about the claims.

A police spokesman said: "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."

The way the Wiltshire force handled the 1990s' claim is now being investigated by the police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Committee (IPCC).

In a statement the IPCC said: "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."

Sir Edward, who was prime minister from 1970 to 1974, never married and there has been speculation about his personal life over the years.

He lived in Salisbury for many years and on his death in 2005, at the age of 89, his ashes were interred at Salisbury Cathedral.

The disclosure comes amid an independent inquiry into whether historic child sex abuse claims were covered up or ignored by public bodies.

David Cameron has told police investigating child abuse allegations against politicians they should go "as high as they like".

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless, who carried out a review of how the Home Office handled allegations of child sex abuse against prominent figures, 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."

The NSPCC helpline for the Edward Heath inquiry is 0808 800 5000.