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Edward Heath 'completely asexual', says former PM's adviser Edward Heath 'completely asexual', says former PM's adviser
(about 4 hours later)
Sir Edward Heath was “almost completely, if not completely asexual” and his reputation is being “unfairly tarnished” by child abuse allegations, according to one of the late former prime minister’s closest advisers.Sir Edward Heath was “almost completely, if not completely asexual” and his reputation is being “unfairly tarnished” by child abuse allegations, according to one of the late former prime minister’s closest advisers.
Lord Armstrong of Ilminster said he “never detected a whiff of sexuality in relation to men, women or children” in the 35 years of knowing Heath, who led the country from 1970-74. Lord Armstrong of Ilminster said he “never detected a whiff of sexuality in relation to men, women or children” in the 35 years of knowing Heath, who led the country from 1970 to 1974.
In a letter to the Times, Armstrong said even if Heath was a paedophile he would have been “too conscious of the implications for his reputation and career to take risks of that kind”. In a letter to the Times, Armstrong said even if Heath had been a paedophile he would have been “too conscious of the implications for his reputation and career to take risks of that kind”.
His remarks come as least seven police forces nationwide – North Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Kent, Jersey, Gloucestershire and Thames Valley – are considering allegations linked to the former Tory leader.His remarks come as least seven police forces nationwide – North Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Kent, Jersey, Gloucestershire and Thames Valley – are considering allegations linked to the former Tory leader.
Heath was too conscious of the implications for his reputation and career to take risks of that kindHeath was too conscious of the implications for his reputation and career to take risks of that kind
The controversy was triggered when the Independent Police Complaints Commission disclosed last week it was investigating claims by a retired senior officer that a prosecution against a suspect in the 1990s was dropped because threats were made to expose Heath as an alleged child abuser. The Independent Police Complaints Commission disclosed last week it was investigating claims by a retired senior officer that a prosecution against a suspect in the 1990s was dropped because threats were made to expose Heath as an alleged child abuser.
Armstrong is no stranger to the furore around sexual abuse allegations against so-called establishment figures. He was warned by the security services in 1986 that an MP had “a penchant for small boys” but no action was taken. Armstrong is no stranger to the furore around sexual abuse allegations against so-called establishment figures. As Cabinet Secretary in 1986, he was warned by the security services in 1986 that an MP had “a penchant for small boys” but no action was taken.
He refused to name the MP involved and told reporters in July that the allegations were just “shadows of a rumour”. He said he believed the decision not to investigate the paedophile claims was ”correct at the time”. He refused to name the MP involved and told reporters in July that the allegations were just “shadows of a rumour”. He said he believed that the decision not to investigate the paedophile claims was ”correct at the time”.
Armstrong, who was principal private secretary to the prime minister between 1970 and 1975, said: “I worked closely with Edward Heath while he was prime minister, and remained a friend for the rest of his life.Armstrong, who was principal private secretary to the prime minister between 1970 and 1975, said: “I worked closely with Edward Heath while he was prime minister, and remained a friend for the rest of his life.
“His biographer, Philip Ziegler, has it right: he was almost completely (if not completely) asexual. n 35 years of knowing him I never detected a whiff of sexuality, in relation to women, men or children. Even if that had been so, he would have been too conscious of the potential implications for his reputation and career to take risks of that kind.” “His biographer, Philip Ziegler, has it right: he was almost completely (if not completely) asexual. In 35 years of knowing him I never detected a whiff of sexuality, in relation to women, men or children. Even if that had been so, he would have been too conscious of the potential implications for his reputation and career to take risks of that kind.”
Heath, who died at the age of 89 in 2005, was so cautious he once cancelled a booking on a Mediterranean cruise when he learned a pianist with whom he had once been rumoured to be romantically linked was going to be on board, Armstrong said. Heath, who died aged 89 in 2005, was so cautious he once cancelled a booking on a Mediterranean cruise when he learned a pianist with whom he had once been rumoured to be romantically linked was going to be on board, Armstrong said.
The former PM was also never without at least one police officer at his front door or gate and a Scotland Yard person protection officer accompanied him when he left the house, the letter added. The former PM was also never without at least one police officer at his front door or gate and a Scotland Yard personal protection officer accompanied him when he left the house, the letter added.
“Those of us who believe that these allegations are completely unfounded cannot prove a negative: one hardly ever can,” Armstrong said. “But we are convinced that the reputation of an honourable and decent man is being unwarrantably and unfairly tarnished.” Armstrong said: “Those of us who believe that these allegations are completely unfounded cannot prove a negative – one hardly ever can. But we are convinced that the reputation of an honourable and decent man is being unwarrantably and unfairly tarnished.”