BBC inquiry into Savile begins

An inquiry has begun into the culture and practices at the BBC in the era of alleged sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile.

Former appeal court judge Dame Janet Smith will also consider whether the BBC child protection and whistle-blowing policies are fit for purpose.

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 - he has now left Charing Cross police station.

Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, left Charing Cross police station on Sunday afternoon after being questioned by officers investigating Jimmy Savile sex abuse claims. The former pop star was arrested at his London home at 7.15am.

A Metropolitan Police statement says: "Officers working on Operation Yewtree have today, 28 October, arrested a man in his 60s in connection with the investigation.

"The man, from London, was arrested at approximately 7.15am on suspicion of sexual offences, and has been taken into custody at a London police station.

"The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'Savile and others'.

Following speculation that other celebrities from Savile's era could be accused of sexual offences, PR guru Max Clifford claimed dozens of big name stars from the 1960s and 70s have contacted him because they are "frightened" they will become implicated in the widening child abuse scandal.

He said the stars were worried because at their peak they had lived a hedonistic lifestyle where young girls threw themselves at them but they "neverasked for anybody's birth certificate".

Savile, who died last year at the age of 84, has been described as one of the most prolific sex offenders in recent UK history. Scotland Yard detectives are currently dealing with about 300 alleged victims and are following more than 400 lines of inquiry