The father of an eight-year-old boy who was murdered in the 1980s has claimed that an alleged Westminster paedophile ring was responsible for his son's death and that police helped stage a "huge cover-up".

Vishambar Mehrotra said he received an anonymous call from a male prostitute in the months after his son Vishal's disappearance who said he may have been abducted and taken to Elm Guest House in Barnes, south west London - a property at the centre of allegations of sex abuse involving the establishment.

Mr Mehrotra said he recorded the 15-minute telephone conversation and took it to police.

But he said police refused to investigate the allegation which implicated "judges and politicians" and "the whole thing went cold" and he heard nothing about the tape again.

“At that time I trusted the police but when nothing happened, I became confused and concerned," Mr Mehrotra told the Telegraph.

“Now it is clear to me that there has been a huge cover up. There is no doubt in my mind.”

The male prostitute had talked about "very highly placed people" who were "abusing little boys", the retired Magistrate said.

The man told Mr Mehrotra that he had informed police about the alleged crimes at the guesthouse but had received no response.

His claims come after Scotland Yard announced last week that officers were investigating a possible homicide in connection with allegations of historical sexual abuse.

Vishal, from Putney, south west London, went missing on the day of the royal wedding between Charles and Diana on July 29 1981.

He was last seen less than a mile from the guesthouse, the Telegraph reported.

Part of his skeleton was discovered in woodland in West Sussex in February 1982, but there was said to be no trace of his legs, pelvis, lower spine or clothing.

Police raided Elm Park Guest House the same year and the owners, Harry and Carole Kasir , were subsequently convicted of "running a disorderly house".

Mr Mehrotra, now 69, said: “This guesthouse was right next to where Vishal disappeared.

"There were predatory people there who were taking young boys and abusing them.

“It seems to me that it all adds up, so I can’t understand why the police have again failed to get in contact with me. I think the revelations of Savile and others in recent months have opened up a Pandora’s box. Hopefully everything will all come out soon.”

A Scotland Yard spokesperson told ITV News that the force would not be commenting on the allegations at this stage.