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Edward Heath 'child sex abuse claims': Full statement by the IPCC

The force is accused of not pursing a case against former Prime Minister Edward Heath

Caroline Mortimer

Monday 03 August 2015 15:06 BST

Edward Heath, pictured in 1989 at the Tory party conference (Johnny Eggit/Getty Images)

The handling of a child sex abuse claim by Wiltshire Police involving former prime minister Sir Edward Heath is to be investigated by watchdogs.

The force is to be probed after allegations made by a retired senior officer were referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC):

This is the IPCC statement on the inquiry in full:

"The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to investigate allegations concerning Wiltshire Police’s handling of an alleged claim of child sexual abuse made in the 1990s.

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

Leader of the British Conservative Party Edward Heath tours his constituency during the general election campaign, 1966

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

British Conservative Party politician and amateur musician, Edward Heath conducting the annual carol concert at the Grand Ballroom, Broadstairs, Kent, in December 1963

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

Conservative Party leader Mr Edward Heath holds up with pride the new Conservative election manifesto entitled 'A Better Tomorrow' at a press conference in London, 1970

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

British prime minister Edward Heath chatting with US president Richard Nixon at Chequers in Buckinghamshire

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

British Prime Minister Edward Heath, skipper of the British team for the Admiral Cup Series with his team aboard the yacht 'Morning Cloud' at Southsea, Hampshire, 1971

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

In 1974 the Conservative Prime Minister Edward Heath, left, was ousted from Downing Street when Harold Wilson, right, formed a minority Labour government

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Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

Ted Heath leaves Downing Street to hand in his resignation, 1974

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Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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British Prime Minister Edward Heath announces the date of the General Election, 1974

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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Deposed Conservative party leader Edward Heath with his successor Margaret Thatcher, 1975

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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Former Prime Minister Edward Heath at his home in 1975

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Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

At the Conservative Party Conference (L-R), Mr Edward Heath, MP for Bexley, Mr Francis Pym, Leader of the House of Commons, and Mr William Whitelaw, Home Secretary, applaud a colleague's speech, 1981

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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Edward Heath at his home in Salisbury in 1980s

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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Edward Heath bids farwell to Chia Chia the panda, London Zoo, 1988

Edward Heath - Life in pictures

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British prime minister Sir Edward Heath, appearing before the US Senate armed committee on the situation in the Persian Gulf, 1990

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Edward Heath - Life in pictures

Edward Heath

Sir Edward Heath arrives at No.10 Downing Street for a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair in London, 2002

"It is alleged that a criminal prosecution was not pursued, when a person threatened to expose that Sir Edward Heath may have been involved in offences concerning children. In addition to this allegation, the IPCC will examine whether Wiltshire Police subsequently took any steps to investigate these claims.

"The allegations were referred to the IPCC by Wiltshire Police following allegations made by a retired senior officer."