Advertisement

  1. National

'Serious failings' at BBC allowed Savile to abuse 72 people

“Serious failings” at the BBC allowed Jimmy Savile to rape and sexually assault 72 people, a damning report has found.

Dame Janet Smith's review found there was a culture of "reverence and fear" towards celebrities at the corporation.

One employee who complained about Savile was told: "Keep your mouth shut, he is a VIP."

After the report's publication, BBC director-general Lord Hall apologised to the victims, saying: "The BBC failed you when it should have protected you."

Follow ITV News for the latest reaction to the report.

View all 16 updates ›

BBC director general apologises to Savile and Hall victims

Lord Hall apologised to the victims.

The director general of the BBC has apologised to the victims of Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall.

Lord Hall said: "The BBC failed you when it should have protected you.

"I'm deeply sorry for the hurt caused to each and every one of you."

He added: "Savile committed his crimes in many places but it was the BBC that made him famous.

"What this terrible episode tells us is that fame is power, a very strong form of power.

"And like all power it must be held to account, it must be challenged and it must be scrutinised, and it wasn't."

  1. Read more
  2. 16 updates
'Serious failings' at BBC allowed Savile to abuse 72 people

More on this story