Heath ‘victims’ could get payouts – even if they have no proof of abuse

DOZENS of people who claimed to be sex victims of Sir Edward Heath could receive tens of thousands of pounds in compensation.

They were encouraged to come forward by police, who stood outside the former Prime Minister’s Salisbury home as they went public with their inquiry.

They are in line for Government-approved awards even if police cannot prove their claims are true and despite the fact that Wiltshire Police has been blasted for drumming up a ‘witch-hunt’ against Sir Edward.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) confirmed its taxpayerfunded payments are made regardless of the outcome of the criminal inquiry.

Instead, officials decide what payments should be made behind the scenes based on the ‘balance of probabilities’ of whether abuse took place. Convictions in the crimi- nal courts are based on the much higher standard of evidence being ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.

Supporters of Sir Edward have accused police of trashing his reputation after a senior detective appealed for ‘victims’ to come forward. But Chief Constable Mike Veale has been reported to have said he believes ‘120 per cent’ in allegations that Sir Edward abused children. Mr Veale has not denied the reports, and if his belief reflects that of the investigation team, nothing will stand in the way of CICA payments.

It has already been revealed the agency is unlikely to claw back money from ‘victims’ who have since been exposed as fantastists. The most infamous, identified only as ‘Nick’, falsely accused Sir Edward of being part of a Westminster VIP paedophile ring. His outlandish claims, which also included Lord Bramall and Harvey Proctor, led to him receiving up to £50,000 in compensation. He still has the money despite being under investigation for perverting the course of justice and fraud.

Tory MP James Gray, who represents North Wiltshire, questioned whether the £2 million cost of the Wiltshire Police inquiry is justified. ‘It does seem to me that if somebody is being paid in return for saying they are a victim, that runs the risk of somebody making something up,’ he said.

There are concerns that troubled individuals could be encouraged to exaggerate or even make up claims of abuse because of the potential compensation on offer.

Wiltshire Police declined to comment, saying: ‘Operation Conifer remains a live investigation.’

The CICA also declined to comment.