BBC’S NEW DIRECTOR General George Entwistle has asked staff members to “come forward” and talk to police if they have any information about alleged sexual abuses by the late presenter Jimmy Savile.
Earlier today, officials from the BBC met with London police officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Command which is leading an assessment of the information broadcast in an ITV documentary on Wednesday night.
A representative from the NSPCC also attended the meeting at New Scotland Yard. Police said the assessment will take “some time”, adding that the BBC Investigations Services was fully co-operating with detectives.
A Met spokesperson said, “We are now collating information gathered from a range of sources across the UK and will continue contacting individuals who have made allegations in relation to the late Jimmy Savile over the weekend.
“We do not expect to have a clear picture of exactly how many women may have suffered abuse until next week and want to allow time for victims to reflect on what they may have experienced.”
In an email to BBC employees, Entwistle said he was appalled by the allegations contained in the documentary. The programme detailed claims from five women who said the DJ and presenter sexually abused them on BBC premises when they were teenagers.
Entwistle added that a “thorough search” of written records had been carried out, but “crucially and regrettably” no complaints were made at the time.
“We have found nothing at this stage to suggest any known wrong-doing was ignored by management. But our checks are ongoing and if we do find anything relevant we will give it straight to the police.”
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