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Jimmy Savile: Number of victims 'fast approaching 300' Jimmy Savile: Number of victims 'fast approaching 300'
(35 minutes later)
The number of possible sexual abuse victims of Jimmy Savile is understood to be "fast approaching" 300.The number of possible sexual abuse victims of Jimmy Savile is understood to be "fast approaching" 300.
It is thought the TV presenter and DJ, who died last year aged 84, may have abused scores of young girls and some boys over a 40-year period.It is thought the TV presenter and DJ, who died last year aged 84, may have abused scores of young girls and some boys over a 40-year period.
Labour leader Ed Miliband has reiterated calls for an independent inquiry into the affair.Labour leader Ed Miliband has reiterated calls for an independent inquiry into the affair.
Savile's great niece Caroline Robinson has accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 12.Savile's great niece Caroline Robinson has accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 12.
Mr Miliband said an independent inquiry should cover "not just the BBC but all the institutions that frankly allowed Jimmy Savile to get away with the terrible things that he appears to have done".Mr Miliband said an independent inquiry should cover "not just the BBC but all the institutions that frankly allowed Jimmy Savile to get away with the terrible things that he appears to have done".
However, Andrew Lansley, the Leader of the Commons, has said he cannot see "any merit" in such an inquiry.However, Andrew Lansley, the Leader of the Commons, has said he cannot see "any merit" in such an inquiry.
He wants the police investigation and independent reviews by the BBC and NHS to be allowed to run their course.He wants the police investigation and independent reviews by the BBC and NHS to be allowed to run their course.
"I see no reason for us at this stage to think that there would be any merit in seeking to overturn those inquiries which are making progress but simply to make sure, which I know they will, that they all respect and understand that the police's criminal investigation must take precedence.""I see no reason for us at this stage to think that there would be any merit in seeking to overturn those inquiries which are making progress but simply to make sure, which I know they will, that they all respect and understand that the police's criminal investigation must take precedence."
Last week detectives revealed the police inquiry, Operation Yewtree, had identified 200 victims.Last week detectives revealed the police inquiry, Operation Yewtree, had identified 200 victims.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said more victims had come forward since last week, some of them having lived abroad.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said more victims had come forward since last week, some of them having lived abroad.
Sources close to Scotland Yard's investigation said they were also looking at "figures of high standing" who might have helped Savile.Sources close to Scotland Yard's investigation said they were also looking at "figures of high standing" who might have helped Savile.
'High-profile individuals'
Our correspondent said sources said there was so far nothing to suggest a "paedophile ring" involving Savile existed - in the sense that children were passed around between adults to be abused.Our correspondent said sources said there was so far nothing to suggest a "paedophile ring" involving Savile existed - in the sense that children were passed around between adults to be abused.
But it is thought investigations are looking at those who may have assisted Savile, helped organise abuse, cover it up or taken part in assaults themselves.But it is thought investigations are looking at those who may have assisted Savile, helped organise abuse, cover it up or taken part in assaults themselves.
No arrests have been made so far.No arrests have been made so far.
Our correspondent said: "What they are looking at clearly are high-profile individuals who may also have taken part in abuse against children or teenagers or assisted Jimmy Savile in some way, tried to organise the abuse."Our correspondent said: "What they are looking at clearly are high-profile individuals who may also have taken part in abuse against children or teenagers or assisted Jimmy Savile in some way, tried to organise the abuse."
Savile was a household name in the 1970s and 1980s as the host of popular Saturday evening programme Jim'll Fix It and he also presented Top of The Pops and a number of other programmes.Savile was a household name in the 1970s and 1980s as the host of popular Saturday evening programme Jim'll Fix It and he also presented Top of The Pops and a number of other programmes.
'Mirror image''Mirror image'
A great-niece, Caroline Robinson, has told BBC Radio 5 Live she was abused by him when she was 12.A great-niece, Caroline Robinson, has told BBC Radio 5 Live she was abused by him when she was 12.
Mrs Robinson, who is now 49, said: "When I was reading about the victims in the paper it was like reading a mirror image of what I went through."Mrs Robinson, who is now 49, said: "When I was reading about the victims in the paper it was like reading a mirror image of what I went through."
She added: "When I was 12... he asked me to sit on his knee and he said 'what can Jimmy do for you?' and I said 'Can I see the Bay City Rollers?' who were my favourite group at the time."She added: "When I was 12... he asked me to sit on his knee and he said 'what can Jimmy do for you?' and I said 'Can I see the Bay City Rollers?' who were my favourite group at the time."
Mrs Robinson said Savile got sexually excited as she sat on his knee and put his hands in her underwear.Mrs Robinson said Savile got sexually excited as she sat on his knee and put his hands in her underwear.
She said she ended up running upstairs in tears but she said she never told her parents what had happened.She said she ended up running upstairs in tears but she said she never told her parents what had happened.
The Panorama programme, Jimmy Savile - What the BBC Knew, can be seen again on the BBC iPlayer.The Panorama programme, Jimmy Savile - What the BBC Knew, can be seen again on the BBC iPlayer.