London: The police force in London is being investigated over claims it covered up child sex abuse by powerful establishment figures, including senior politicians and police officers, between 1970 and 2005.

An independent watchdog will examine the sensational claims, including that police protected a VIP paedophile ring that has since been linked to the possible murder of three young boys.

Martin Allen disappeared in 1979.

One of the potential victims, Martin Allen, was the son of the chauffeur for Australia's then high commissioner Sir Gordon Freeth. The 15-year-old, who lived at the high commissioner's London residence with his family, disappeared in 1979. His body has never been found.

Detectives from Operation Midland, which is investigating historic abuse at the Dolphin Square estate near Westminster in the 1970s and 1980s, spoke with Martin's family late last year after which his brother, Kevin, revealed "the suspicion is he was abducted by a group of low-life paedophiles".