Story highlights Claims involving former Prime Minister Ted Heath are being investigated by UK police forces

Heath, who led a Conservative government from 1970 to 1974, died in 2005

An ex-colleague says he's bemused by the claims against Heath; a charitable trust says it believes his name will be cleared

London (CNN) At least four UK police forces are independently investigating claims that include child sexual abuse involving the late British Prime Minister Edward Heath.

The allegations about Heath, who led a Conservative government from 1970 to 1974 and only left Parliament in 2001, have dominated UK newspaper headlines this week.

They come at a time when Britain has been rocked by a series of revelations involving the sexual abuse of children by public figures -- including UK entertainer Jimmy Savile -- and allegations that the British establishment may have sought to cover up historic abuse claims involving some former senior politicians.

Heath, the most senior figure to be investigated for child sex abuse allegations dating back decades, died in 2005 at age 89.

Police forces in Kent, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Jersey, an island in the English Channel, have now confirmed they are looking into claims involving the former Prime Minister.

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