Scotland Yard to lead Savile probe

Scotland Yard will "work closely" with the BBC as it takes the national lead in assessing allegations against late Leeds-born TV presenter Sir Jimmy Savile, the force said.

A growing number of victims have come forward to allege that he sexually assaulted them after five women took part in a documentary claiming that they had been abused.

In the film, the alleged victims accused the Jim'll Fix It presenter of sexually assaulting them, some while on BBC premises.

MP Anne Main has written to Lord Justice Leveson asking him to investigate how the BBC handled the allegations as part of his inquiry into press standards.

It has emerged this week that Surrey, Sussex and Jersey Police received complaints about Savile in the past but concluded there was not enough evidence to pursue them.

Scotland Yard is currently considering a number of allegations, including an historic rape claim referred to them by Surrey Police, and Northamptonshire has been contacted by two alleged victims.

The Metropolitan Police said the assessment of claims will be led by Detective Superintendent David Gray from the force's Child Abuse Investigation Command, and that a formal investigation had not yet been launched.