Child abuse claims against ex-PM Heath
Former British prime minister Edward Heath would have been questioned about claims he sexually abused boys if he were alive today, police said yesterday after a two-year investigation into the allegations.
Heath, Prime Minister from 1970 to 1974, who died 12 years ago, would have been interviewed under caution over seven allegations including raping an 11-yearold boy and indecently assaulting men and other boys, one aged 10.
The alleged incidents occurred from 1956 to 1992 while he was a Member of Parliament but not prime minister, said Wiltshire Police, the force in western England which headed the national investigation named Operation Conifer.
Supporters of Heath, who never married, have said the investigation was an expensive, flawed witch-hunt.
“In the case of seven individual disclosures, if Sir Edward Heath had been alive today, it has been concluded he would have been interviewed under caution in order to obtain his account in relation to the allegations made against him,” Wiltshire Police said in a statement.
“No inference of guilt should be drawn by the decision to interview under caution. The account from Sir Edward Heath would have been as important as other evidence gathered as part of the investigation.” Speaking to reporters, Wiltshire Chief Constable Mike Veale said: “I am satisfied there were compelling and obvious reasons to investigate allegations made against Sir Edward Heath. (They) were of the utmost seriousness and from a significant number of people.