Edward Heath

[Earl Aelfheah]

Is anyone else feeling rather uneasy at the trial by media which is taking place?

[JohnL]

It's worrying that many people "on trial" - especially politicians seem to be dead - for various reasons (guilty or innocent).

[????]

plod failed massively in the past and now trying to be right on top of it shocker - so any accusations are treated to massive enquiry, maybe a good thing but the media circus surrounding it less so

[Earl Aelfheah]

The relationship between the press and the police is far too cosy for my liking. Why are the police holding press conferences outside a dead man's former home?

[Jah Lush]

Why didn't the police reveal this 40 years ago? Another government cover-up that's why.

[JohnL]

Apparently there have been lots of new allegations since this news was published - I know that it is generally accepted that weight of evidence by multiple allegations means you do not need more different evidence - but I'm still not 100% sure about that.

Operation Midland (I think) was said (on TV yesterday) to be investigating over 100 "household names" Edit: there actually seems to be loads of them so probably a mistake.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/04/police-child-abuse-inquiries-operation-yewtree-to-operation-midland

[Otta]

Of course people will come out of the woodwork, he's not around to contradict anything.

[red devil]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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> Why didn't the police reveal this 40 years ago?

> Another government cover-up that's why.

'Government cover-up' makes it sound like a big, organised conspiracy, whereas I bet the reality was a few in the know who simply turned a blind eye to it all, a la Saville.

Anyways, I thought there were plenty of rumours in the public domain about Heath while he was still alive...Morning Cloud...Roger the Cabin Boy...say no more, say no more...

[Earl Aelfheah]

Government cover-up assumes that Ted Heath is guilty, which I think is far from proven.

Just seen this article in the Telegraph about it, which I think I broadly agree with: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11784844/The-Edward-Heath-witch-hunt-is-the-stuff-of-Hitlers-dreams.html

[Earl Aelfheah]

... and it's not often I agree with a Telegraph comment piece.

[binkylilyput]

I wouldn't speculate as to who is guilty and who isn't but whether there has been cover ups around Westminster is under little doubt....it would be naive to think that Westminster is not able to shift things under the rug.

I have been watching these events unfold for some weeks on the internet. The reason I have used the internet to read up about it was because very little has been put out by the media.

An Australian current affairs programme recently aired a 60 min reporting/ exposing the scandal. In the UK, however, the media was bizarrely quiet considering the potential enormity of the situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRObgttIyeg

Up until now, when Edward Heath accusations have suddenly made big news.

I personally don't find it confusing that it is only people who are already deceased who are making it into the press...... if the sh*t could potentially hit the fan then best to try and confine the damage to people who are already gone?

Judge Lowell Goddard (from New Zealand) has reportedly been commisioned to investigate Westminster because she "has no links to British Establishment"

[stringvest]

Victims were not listened to at the time and there was lots of cover-ups, whether celebrities, politicians ... if they are alive, prosecute them, if they are dead, name and shame them.

When children are abused and neglected either by strangers or family, they are damaged for life. In many circumstances they are too frightened to say anything to anyone, they are often beaten and told they are worthless, no-one cares, no one will believe them and they'll end up in a home (if not in one already) .. and they are explained away as trouble makers and problem kids. They only problems they have are made by abusers. In adult life, they can be promiscuous, not maintain relationships, be unable to commit, trust people, or have their own children etc.

Many suffer life long depression, many commit suicide.

Many years later, it only takes one other victim to come forward, the victim may feel justified in coming forward because it is not just them on their own, just their word against someone they have always perceived as untouchable. Its CLOSURE for these victims and they need it to move on and know that it was NEVER THEIR FAULT, they have been let down by society. Thank you.

[Earl Aelfheah]

No one has suggested that victims are to blame for the abuse they've suffered, or that crimes shouldn't be investigated.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I fear that some senior police may be more interested in appearing transparent than getting at the truth.

[stringvest]

"Of course people will come out of the woodwork, he's not around to contradict anything."

It was that statement that rattled me a bit. Thanks.

[Otta]

I stand by it. Not saying he wasn't guilty of anything, but anyone can basically claim anything now and it would be difficult to prove or disprove.

[ratty]

Having worked with many victims of abuse who are indeed damaged for life I think it is entirely important that their stories are heard and given credence. In the worst cases we are talking about murder. Even now people coming forwards are dying in suspicious circumstances.

[Earl Aelfheah]

I think the police should listen to people and thoroughly investigate claims of abuse. That is different from asking people to speak to them anonymously and then briefing the press.

[Earl Aelfheah]

What happened to innocent until proven guilty? surely were talking about 'alleged victims' until a case has been substantiated?

[Blah Blah]

We just can't know for suree. I think there was clear evidence in the case of Saville (too many connections/ sightings/claims etc) but policing was very different at the time of these allegations, and I think the Justice system too. It was harder for victims of abuse and rape to speak out and if they did, the process of even getting to court was much harder. When Ester Rantzen carried out her confidential survey into sexual abuse, the response was so overwhelming that it led to Childline and a change in the way Police handle rape victims. It's perfectly easy to understand why rape and abuse victims didn't come forward at the time. Peodophiles are particulary adept (and especially in that climate) of making victims too afraid or too ashamed to speak out.

[JohnL]

rahrahrah Wrote:

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> What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

> surely were talking about 'alleged victims' until

> a case has been substantiated?

The "weight of evidence idea" without anything else is worrying

for me in a world where hundreds of americans claim they are

infected by biting parasitic worms carried by genetically modified

cotton in a government conspiracy.

if you keep reading the worm stories you think - even though doctors

claim nothing is there - by the sheer weight of evidence - it's true.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgellons