The National Association of People Abused in Childhood claim that they are in touch with more than 30 police officers who were ordered not to investigate allegations of child abuse against VIP men. According to chief executive Peter Saunders there is “a history of cover ups”.

Meanwhile a former brothel-keeper who says that former PM Sir Edward Heath was one of her VIP customers, and that she escaped a prosecution by threatening to expose him, allegations that the Independent Police Complaints Commission is now looking into.

Sir Edward, who died aged 89 in 2005 is currently being investigated for historic child abuse by five police forces, including Wiltshire where he lived for many years. The Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation says that they “welcome the investigation by Wiltshire Police, which we wholeheartedly believe will clear Sir Edward’s name”.

The NSPCC reports that child cruelty and neglect offences are at the highest level they have been for ten years, and that two paedophiles a day are being convicted of child pornography crimes, including scout leaders, teachers, doctors, clergymen, children’s entertainers and police officers.