Police watchdog to investigate handling of alleged claim of child sexual abuse made about former PM Sir Edward Heath

Edward Heath was UK prime minister between 1970 and 1974 Credit: PA

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to investigate allegations concerning Wiltshire Police’s handling of an alleged claim of child sexual abuse made in the 1990s about former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.

The IPCC says the allegation made is 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.

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

Sir Edward was a former Conservative party leader, and was prime minister between 1970 and 1974.

He died in July 2005.