FOLLOWING an investigation by the IPCC, Wiltshire Police has been cleared of causing a trial to collapse in order to protect former Prime Minister Ted Heath.

The investigation stemmed from information provided by a retired senior officer raising concerns the force deliberately caused a criminal prosecution to fail in 1994.

It was alleged that the defendant had threatened to tell the press she supplied Sir Edward with males under the age of consent for sex if the trial went ahead.

In a statement, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: “The IPCC examined the circumstances around the outcome of the court case relating to brothel-owner Myra Ling-Ling Forde, in February 1994.

“We investigated whether the comment allegedly made about Sir Edward to a former police officer at court had any bearing on the outcome. We also looked at the actions of Wiltshire Police in connection with the alleged comment.

“The investigation found no evidence to support the suggestion that the alleged comment had any bearing on the outcome of the trial against Ms Forde. It also found no evidence that other officers within Wiltshire were aware of the alleged comment and failed to act upon it.

“The investigation concluded that the trial against Ms Forde was stopped by the prosecution because their witnesses would not attend court or refused to give evidence.”

Wiltshire Police, which referred itself to the IPCC, says as the former Conservative MP was named in the initial allegation, it chose to run a wide ranging investigation into sexual assault, which is still on-going.

A spokesman said: “As a result of the announcement by the IPCC naming Sir Edward Heath, Wiltshire Police felt it was appropriate to make an appeal to the public for any information relating to the allegation.

“As a result of the appeal, a number of people individually came forward with information. This led to a wider police investigation being established and we are following a number of lines of enquiry.

“Wiltshire Police was appointed as the lead force nationally for the investigation into allegations of non-recent child sex abuse relating to Sir Edward Heath.

“At this time, the investigation led by Wiltshire Police continues and a panel of independent experts outside of policing is providing ongoing scrutiny of the investigation and its proportionality.

“There has been significant public interest, comment and speculation in relation to the police investigation. We would like to reassure the public that the force is investigating with an open mind and our purpose is to go where the evidence takes us.

"Wiltshire Police seeks to be proportionate, impartial and fair, in order to provide the public with confidence in the police response to these allegations.

“However, the force will not discuss details relating to the on-going investigation and it would not be fair to any party to comment on any further detail at this time.”