Heath’s crew dismiss ‘ludicrous’ sex claims

CLAIMS that Sir Edward Heath abused youngsters on board his yacht have been dismissed as “ludicrous” after former crew members revealed he was unable to sail it alone.

A long-awaited police report into suggestions that the former Tory Prime Minister was a paedophile is expected to focus on allegations that he assaulted boys during sailing trips.

It is understood that Sir Edward, who died in 2005, will even be accused of raping one youngster during a voyage to the Channel Islands.

But former crew members of his Morning Cloud yachts, who have been interviewed at length by Wiltshire Police detectives, insist the allegations are not credible because Sir Edward could not sail without assistance.

All the surviving crew who sailed with Sir Edward, have confirmed they never witnessed anything untoward while on board.

Anthony Churchill, 82, who was part of Sir Edward’s racing team for a decade, said: “It is just ludicrous to suggest that he could take the boat out alone or even be on board without others knowing. He loved his sailing but he did not have the expertise to take the vessel out alone.

“I would liken it to him being the cox in a team of rowers. He put us all together and we had the highest regard for him, which is why this whole process is so hard, but his sailing prowess was as part of a team.”

While the full details of the police report will not be made available until Thursday, a series of leaks appear to suggest the most potent allegations will relate Sir Edward’s time as a racing yachtsman.

Lincoln Seligman, the late Prime Minister’s godson, said: “If it is the case that the main allegations are connected to his time at sea, then it is deeply questionable. These were large and difficult to handle vessels, he would have needed to have crew on board, so is the suggestion that other people were present?”

He added: “My suspicion is that we will learn nothing from the report except innuendo and that really takes nobody any further forward, except it leaves a dark stain over a man who can’t defend himself.”