Heath police probe links to Savile’s paedo suspect friend
DETECTIVES have revealed they are probing possible links between Sir Edward Heath and a suspected paedophile friend of Jimmy Savile.
The inquiry was launched after a photograph emerged of the former prime minister meeting Peter Jaconelli.
Last year, North Yorkshire Police announced that Jaconelli – a flamboyant ice cream magnate and former mayor of Scarborough – would have been prosecuted for sex offences along with Savile if he had still been alive.
The snap from the 1970s shows Sir Edward at a civic engagement shaking hands with Jaconelli, who died in 1999.
In a statement, the force said: “North Yorkshire Police is not investigating any complaints linked to Edward Heath. We are however undertaking a comprehensive search of force systems to assess if there is any information or intelligence held in relation to Mr Heath.”
Last year, the force apologised to victims of Savile and Jaconelli after concluding that officers missed opportunities to properly investigate the two men over alleged child abuse when they were still alive.
The force said 35 people had come forward with allegations about the pair.
The revelation comes after two more forces said they were handling claims surrounding Sir Edward – bringing the number of forces dealing with complaints to seven.
Last night Gloucestershire Police said it had referred the matter to Operation Hydrant, which co- ordinates multiple historical child sexual abuse investigations.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm we have received an allegation against Sir Edward Heath. The constabulary has referred the allegation to Operation Hydrant officers and we will be liaising closely with them to decide the appropriate investigating authority.”
Thames Valley Police said it has “received information” which is being investigated “following media coverage in relation to historic allegations made against Edward Heath”.
Detectives in Wiltshire, Kent, Jersey, Hampshire and the Metropolitan Police are also looking into abuse allegations linked to Sir Edward.