WILTSHIRE Police were handed responsibility yesterday for investigating sex abuse claims against former PM Ted Heath — despite facing a corruption probe over a cover-up of the original allegations.

It was revealed last week that the force was under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over its handling of evidence given to them by a former officer in the 1990s.

But Wiltshire Police have now been charged with leading another seven forces in carrying out inquiries linked to abuse claims against Mr Heath.

Challenged over whether that was appropriate, an IPPC spokeswoman said it would conduct an “entirely independent” probe into how Wiltshire Police had dealt with the allegations.

Labour MP Tom Watson said the news was welcome but questioned why it had “taken so long.”

• Lawyers for Lord Janner, who has dementia, have said it would breach his human rights to make him attend court to answer child abuse charges.