Call for inquiry into Ted Heath sex probe after suspects freed

THE former head of public prosecutions has called for an inquiry into the Sir Edward Heath sex abuse probe.

No one is likely to face trial in the investigation after the only two suspects to be arrested were released without charge.

It comes despite Wiltshire Police investigating lurid child abuse claims against the former prime minister for almost two years, at a cost of £1.1million.

Now Lord Macdonald, the former DPP, has written to the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson demanding a judicial inquiry. Chief Constable Mike Veale is also under pressure from MPs to resign after he was reported to have said allegations against Sir Edward were true.

In the letter to the Commissioner, Lord Macdonald compared the probe to Scotland Yard’s botched operation Midland into claims of VIP child sex abuse by a fantasist known as Nick. He added: ‘It started with police holding a really outrageous press conference outside Ted Heath’s home talking about victims before an inquiry had started.’

The Mail now understands that the two arrested suspects did not know Sir Edward – who was Tory prime minister from 1970 to 1974 and died in 2005.

Wiltshire MP James Gray said: ‘If the operation report reveals there was no evidence, the chief constable has to go.’

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: ‘[It] remains a live investigation and we will not be commenting further.’