Former Prime Minister in Jersey child abuse investigation

A former Haut de la Garenne resident has told ITV News that he remembers children from the care home being taken on board Sir Edward Heath's boat.

It comes as five police forces, including Jersey's, investigate the former Prime Minister amid allegations of historical child sex abuse.

Those representing victims of abuse hope that these latest revelations will encourage those who've previously stayed silent to speak out.

Jersey's Independent Care Inquiry today reiterating they still want to hear from anyone affected.

Leah Ferguson reports...

Five police forces, including Jersey's, are now investigating allegations of historical child sex abuse against former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.

Jersey Police have confirmed he is among 13 high profile people named as part of their inquiries.

Today, those representing victims in the island say there are still many unanswered questions.

Officers in Jersey are liaising with UK Police as part of an investigation into child abuse allegations involving former UK Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.

Today enquiries are continuing.

One UK politician, believes a dedicated national team should be set up to deal with the allegations.

Allegations that children from Haut de la Garenne children's home were allowed to visit Sir Edward Heath on his boat while he was in Jersey have today been denied.

Investigative journalist Leah McGrath Goodman made the claims in an interview with radio station LBC.

Today, a spokesperson for the independent inquiry into historical child abuse in Jersey confirmed no such evidence has been heard in public or in private during the inquiry's hearings over the past year.

The spokesperson did, however, confirm children from Haut de la Garenne did make day trip visits to boats and beaches.

It comes as Jersey Police today confirmed that the former Prime Minister is being investigated as part of an inquiry into allegations of historical child abuse in the island.

The one time Conservative leader, who died in 2005, is currently at the centre of allegations of child abuse at the highest level in the UK.

Since an appeal was launched yesterday by The Independent Police Complaints Commission, Wiltshire Police and the NSPCC say they have received a number of calls for information about child abuse allegations relating to Sir Edward.

Sir Edward is known to have visited Jersey a number of times on his yacht, Morning Cloud - including this visit in 1976 when he spoke to Channel Television about his sailing passion.

Former Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, 'does feature' as part of an investigation into historical child abuse allegations in Jersey, Police have confirmed.

Operation Whistle was set up by Jersey Police to look into cases of alleged historical child abuse and is working with the UK's Operation Hydrant, set up by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC).

An appeal was launched yesterday after The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it was looking into whether Wiltshire Police officers failed to investigate abuse claims made against Sir Edward in the 1990s.

Since the appeal, Wiltshire Police and the NSPCC say they have received a number of calls for information about child abuse allegations relating to Sir Edward, who died in 2005.