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Jimmy Savile scandal: DPP to review abuse claims Jimmy Savile scandal: DPP to review abuse claims
(35 minutes later)
The director of public prosecutions is to review decisions by the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute Jimmy Savile in 2009.The director of public prosecutions is to review decisions by the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute Jimmy Savile in 2009.
The CPS had looked at four sexual abuse claims against the late TV presenter and DJ, all dating back to the 70s.The CPS had looked at four sexual abuse claims against the late TV presenter and DJ, all dating back to the 70s.
Prime Minister David Cameron said "the allegations and what seems to have happened are completely appalling".Prime Minister David Cameron said "the allegations and what seems to have happened are completely appalling".
The NSPCC said it had received 161 calls about allegations against Savile and had passed details to police.The NSPCC said it had received 161 calls about allegations against Savile and had passed details to police.
The charity said it had also received 105 contacts, unrelated to the Savile case, from adults about abuse they suffered when children.The charity said it had also received 105 contacts, unrelated to the Savile case, from adults about abuse they suffered when children.
In other developments:
'Obvious problems'
Savile, who died last year aged 84, is believed to have carried out a 40-year campaign of sexual abuse.Savile, who died last year aged 84, is believed to have carried out a 40-year campaign of sexual abuse.
The CPS has said charges were not brought over a file covering four possible cases of abuse against Savile - submitted by Surrey Police in 2009 - because the alleged victims' unwillingness to support police inquiries made a conviction unlikely.The CPS has said charges were not brought over a file covering four possible cases of abuse against Savile - submitted by Surrey Police in 2009 - because the alleged victims' unwillingness to support police inquiries made a conviction unlikely.
Director of public prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer, whose principal legal adviser Alison Levitt QC will conduct a review into those cases, said in a statement there were "obvious problems" in proceeding in such cases.Director of public prosecutions (DPP) Keir Starmer, whose principal legal adviser Alison Levitt QC will conduct a review into those cases, said in a statement there were "obvious problems" in proceeding in such cases.
This was particularly true where there was no forensic evidence "and only very limited, or even in some instances no, witness evidence, particularly in relation to allegations which date back a number of years", he added.This was particularly true where there was no forensic evidence "and only very limited, or even in some instances no, witness evidence, particularly in relation to allegations which date back a number of years", he added.
He said the decision not to prosecute was being re-examined "out of an abundance of caution".He said the decision not to prosecute was being re-examined "out of an abundance of caution".
And he said he would be discussing with the attorney general whether the CPS "should adopt a policy of referring cases to other relevant agencies, such as social services, where an allegation is made but cannot be proceeded with for evidential reasons".And he said he would be discussing with the attorney general whether the CPS "should adopt a policy of referring cases to other relevant agencies, such as social services, where an allegation is made but cannot be proceeded with for evidential reasons".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said the government would "do everything it can do" and other institutions "must do what they can do to make sure we learn the lessons of this - and it can never happen again".Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said the government would "do everything it can do" and other institutions "must do what they can do to make sure we learn the lessons of this - and it can never happen again".
"These allegations do leave many institutions, perhaps particularly the BBC, with serious questions to answer - I think, above all, how did he get away with this for so long?" he said."These allegations do leave many institutions, perhaps particularly the BBC, with serious questions to answer - I think, above all, how did he get away with this for so long?" he said.
The BBC has launched an inquiry, led by ex-Sky News head Nick Pollard, into whether there were any failings in the BBC's management over a scrapped Newsnight investigation into allegations against Savile.The BBC has launched an inquiry, led by ex-Sky News head Nick Pollard, into whether there were any failings in the BBC's management over a scrapped Newsnight investigation into allegations against Savile.
Another, led by former appeal court judge Dame Janet Smith, will look into the culture and practices of the BBC during Savile's time at the corporation.Another, led by former appeal court judge Dame Janet Smith, will look into the culture and practices of the BBC during Savile's time at the corporation.
"It's very important that the BBC makes clear these inquiries can go where the evidence leads, they'll have access to all the paperwork and they will be able to be truly independent and get to the truth on behalf of all the victims of Jimmy Savile," Mr Cameron told MPs."It's very important that the BBC makes clear these inquiries can go where the evidence leads, they'll have access to all the paperwork and they will be able to be truly independent and get to the truth on behalf of all the victims of Jimmy Savile," Mr Cameron told MPs.
In a third review launched by the BBC, an expert will look at sexual harassment claims and practices at the corporation.In a third review launched by the BBC, an expert will look at sexual harassment claims and practices at the corporation.
Conservative MP Ann Main has tabled a Commons motion calling for the Leveson Inquiry into press phone hacking to be extended to scrutinise the BBC.Conservative MP Ann Main has tabled a Commons motion calling for the Leveson Inquiry into press phone hacking to be extended to scrutinise the BBC.
The motion argues "the BBC should not dictate the terms of an inquiry into itself".The motion argues "the BBC should not dictate the terms of an inquiry into itself".
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Culture Secretary Maria Miller had written to BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten to express "very real concerns" about public trust in the BBC. The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Savile.
Lord Patten wrote in response: "You have recognised both the credibility and the scope of those who are leading the inquiries and the wide scope of their terms of reference." The force says it is following up hundreds of lines of inquiry, with more than 200 potential victims having been identified.
But he warned: "I know that you will not want to give any impression that you are questioning the independence of the BBC."
Meanwhile, Mark Thompson - the BBC director general when the Newsnight programme was shelved in December - has said he played no part in that decision.
Mr Thompson, the incoming chief executive of the New York Times, told the paper: "I did not impede or stop the Newsnight investigation, nor have I done anything else that could be construed as untoward or unreasonable."
'Victims empowered'
The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Savile. The force says it is following up hundreds of lines of inquiry, with more than 200 potential victims having been identified.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac), meanwhile, says it has had 2,500 calls in three weeks, compared with between 200 and 300 in a normal week.
Pannone, a firm of solicitors which specialises in helping victims of sex abuse, says it has seen a five-fold increase in approaches from people alleging abuse.
Alan Collins, from the firm, said: "The depth of coverage and the quality of the coverage empowers them because they're being exposed to people who have knowledge of how to progress a child abuse case.
"In my opinion that enables the victims to say, 'Yes, if I now step forward and take that step of reporting what happened to me, it will be taken seriously - I'm not going to be ridiculed, I'm not going to be dismissed.'"