AS forensics teams continue their search at the former home of double murderer Christopher Halliwell, it has emerged that the detective who led the investigation that secured his second conviction has been signed off sick.

Detective Superintendent Sean Memory spearheaded the police operation that ultimately saw Halliwell found guilty of the 2003 murder of Becky Godden.

After his conviction last year, the 53-year-old was told he would never be released from prison.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We can confirm, further to an approach from the media, that Supt Memory is off work through sickness.

“Personal sickness absence is an issue that we would not comment upon further, it is a private matter between employee and employer.”

The force has also confirmed that Supt Memory is currently the subject of a misconduct investigation.

While the circumstances of the alleged misconduct have not been released, Wiltshire Police have made it clear that it is in no way related to either Supt Memory’s work as a senior investigating officer or his role as the lead detective on Operation Conifer - the police inquiry into the activities of Sir Ted Heath.

An investigation was launched into the former Prime Minister, who died in 2005, after a “significant number of people” came forward to make allegations of abuse against him.

The force spokesman added: “It is very important that we stress there is no risk to Operation Conifer due to this set of circumstances,” added the spokesman.

“The experienced and highly skilled investigation team will continue to investigate fairly, objectively and proportionately, without fear or favour, seeking to provide the public with confidence in the police response.”

Another experienced investigator who is familiar with the operation, Supt Steve Kirby, has been appointed as the new lead detective.

It is not known if Supt Memory had been involved in the ongoing police investigation taking place at the former Broad Street home of Christopher Halliwell.

Specialist forensics teams have been excavating the garages and gardens of two properties on the street for the past week.