Family ‘disgusted’ at Sir Jimmy Savile sex allegations
The family of Sir Jimmy Savile have said they are “disgusted and disappointed” at allegations, to be aired in a documentary later this week, that the late broadcaster sexually abused school girls.
Roger Foster, the nephew of Sir Jimmy, criticised the programme to be shown on ITV1, for making the allegations when the former Jim’ll Fix It host is not around to defend himself.
Mr Foster said: “The guy hasn’t been dead for a year yet and they’re bringing these stories out. It could affect his legacy, his charity work, everything. I’m very sad and disgusted.”
He added: “I just don’t understand the motives behind this. I just think it’s very, very sad you can say these things after someone’s died and the law says you can’t defend yourself when you’re dead.”
The programme details claims, dating back to the 1970s, that Sir Jimmy preyed on female guests on his show. They include allegations that he sexually abused a girl in his Rolls Royce and at BBC Television Centre. One woman alleges that Sir Jimmy raped her.
ITV said one of the contributors was too frightened to speak out whilst Sir Jimmy was alive.
The BBC responded to reports today that inappropriate behaviour by Sir Jimmy had been an “open secret” at the corporation by saying it had found no evidence of any misconduct.
In a statement, the BBC said: “The BBC has conducted extensive searches of its files to establish whether there is any record of misconduct or allegations of misconduct by Sir Jimmy Savile during his time at the BBC. No such evidence has been found.
“Whilst the BBC condemns any behaviour of the type alleged in the strongest terms, in the absence of evidence of any kind found at the BBC that corroborates the allegations that have been made it is simply not possible for the corporation to take any further action.”
Sir Jimmy died at his home in Leeds in October last year, aged 84.