Sir Edward Heath Child Abuse Claims Emerged after Judge Vowed to Uncover Truth about Politicians

By Tom Pettifor
Mirror
August 3, 2015

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sir-edward-heath-child-abuse-6188522

Justice Lowell Goddard: She has said she will leave no stone unturned

Child sex claims against former PM Sir Edward Heath have emerged after a judge vowed to uncover the truth about abuse by politicians.

Lowell Goddard launched Britain’s largest public inquiry into historical abuse from the “corridors of power” to the poorest parts of the country.

The New Zealand judge said: “No one, no matter how apparently powerful, will be allowed to obstruct our inquiries. No one will have immunity from scrutiny.”

Heath is the first former Prime Minister to be linked to child sex abuse allegations that have swept across Westminster since Labour MP Tom Watson made allegations of an paedophile ring linked to Downing Street in 2012.

A raft of politicians from across the political spectrum has been accused of abusing children, including the late former cabinet minister Leon Brittan, Liberal Democrat Sir Cyril Smith and current Labour peer and former MP Lord Janner.

Allegations: Former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath has been accused of child abuse

Justice Goddard has said she will use every available legal power to force witnesses to give evidence.

She has written to hundreds of institutions including churches, the NHS and every Government department ordering to keep records that could relate to abuse.

Even spy agencies MI5, MI6 and GCHQ will be told to hand over files.

Leon Brittan: Allegations have also been made against the former cabinet minister

The probe will cost ?17.9million in its first year and is due to be completed in 2020. Thousands of victims will be asked to give testimony in closed-doors hearings.

Officials from every walk of public life will be hauled in for grillings.

Child abuse claims: Cyril Smith is also being investigated

In 2012 Operation Fairbank was launched to look into claims that there was a paedophile ring with links to government in response to information passed on by Labour MP Tom Watson.

Lord Janner is to face a prosecution for child sex offences after Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders was forced into a U-turn.

Lord Janner: He will face prosecution for child abuse allegations

An independent review overturned Ms Saunders’ controversial decision that the former Labour peer should face no action over child abuse allegations because he is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Justice Goddard said: “Let me make it perfectly clear - this inquiry will use its fact-finding powers to the full, and will not hesitate to make findings in relation to named individuals or institutions where the evidence justifies this.”