The police officer who led the controversial Ted Heath paedophile inquiry is being investigated for alleged misconduct, it has emerged.

Mike Veale, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, is being probed by the police watchdog after anonymous allegations were made about his handling of Operation Conifer.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that it had received two complaints about Mr Veale, which have been taken seriously.

The first related to an allegation that he had leaked information about the Sir Edward Heath investigation, and the second was that he deliberately damaged a mobile phone belonging to the force.

A spokesman for the IOPC confirmed that the first allegation had been dismissed, but said the second claim was now being independently investigated.