23/10/2012

Director General Defends BBC Over Jimmy Savile

George Entwistle, director general of the BBC, has defended the broadcasters response to the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal, but accepted it has raised questions of trust.

He told the Commons culture committee that since the "very, very grave" claims had emerged, "we have done much of what we should have done", adding that a past "cultural problem" at the BBC had allowed abuse by the presenter.

He went on to say the BBC was investigating five to 10 "serious allegations" involving past and present employees.

"There is no question that what Jimmy Savile did and the way the BBC behaved in the years – the culture and practices of the BBC seems to allow Jimmy Savile to do what he did – will raise questions of trust for us and reputation for us," he told the Commons culture, media and sport select committee.

"This is a gravely serious matter and one cannot look back at it with anything other than horror, frankly, that... his activities went on as long as they did undetected."

Police have described Savile as a predatory sex offender, and believe he may have abused many people, including young girls, over a 40-year period.

A criminal investigation is under way.

(H)


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