Jimmy Savile scandal

Jimmy Savile scandal: Inquiry begins into BBC culture

Police have described the former BBC presenter and DJ as a "predatory sex offender".

Former appeal court judge Dame Janet Smith will also consider whether the BBC child protection and whistleblowing policies are fit for purpose.An inquiry is to begin into the culture and practices at the BBC in the era of alleged sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile.

Police are investigating allegations TV star Savile sexually abused some 300 young people over a 40-year period.

As part of the police inquiry, ex-pop star Gary Glitter has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of sex offences.

Glitter, 68, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was arrested at home and questioned at a London police station on Sunday before being released on bail until mid-December.

The former glam rock star is the first person to be arrested in connection with the Metropolitan Police's Savile abuse investigation.

Scotland Yard has said it is following about 400 lines of inquiry as part of the investigation into claims that Savile, who died last year aged 84, abused hundreds of young girls and some boys.

Inquiries have also been set up by the BBC in the wake of the scandal.

Dame Janet previously led the Shipman Inquiry, which examined the activities of serial killer GP Dr Harold Shipman.

In addition to her investigation, former Sky News head Nick Pollard is already examining whether there were BBC management failings over a Newsnight investigation into Savile abuse claims that was shelved last year.

Another review will examine sexual harassment policies at the BBC.

'Dark side'

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said the corporation's reputation was on the line over the scandal.

"Like many who work for the BBC, I feel a sense of particular remorse that abused women spoke to Newsnight, presumably at great personal pain, yet did not have their stories told as they expected," he said.

Lord Patten went on: "Can it really be the case that no-one knew what he was doing? Did some turn a blind eye to criminality?

"Did some prefer not to follow up their suspicions because of this criminal's popularity and place in the schedules?"

Allegations of sexual abuse against Savile have continued to mount since claims were first made public in an ITV documentary at the beginning of October.

Savile's nephew Roger Foster has told the BBC that he did not believe the allegations at first, but that so many have surfaced he is now "convinced that the vast majority of them are true".

He said he could not understand how his uncle, who did so much charity work, "could have such a dark side to him".