Inquiry into Heath abuse claims will be widened

THE controversial investigation into allegations that former British Prime Minister Edward Heath was a paedophile has been dramatically widened.

Officials at Britain’s biggest ever public inquiry confirmed they are to study the findings of an explosive police report into claims that Heath, pictured above, was a child abuser. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse – set up to investigate claims that a Westminster paedophile ring was covered up – will now look at the outcome of Operation Conifer, an inquiry into Heath led by Wiltshire Chief Constable Mike Veale. His report will be released in the next few weeks.

A spokesman for the IICSA said: ‘In the context of the Westminster investigation, the inquiry will be interested to see and consider the outcome of Wiltshire Police’s investigation into allegations against Sir Edward Heath.’

It is believed to be the first time the inquiry has referred to the Heath investigation. The statement follows a change on the IICSA website on August 30 that the scope of its inquiry is to be widened to take account of ‘recent police investigations’.