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Jimmy Savile family's 'hurt' over sex abuse claims Jimmy Savile family's 'hurt' over sex abuse claims
(about 1 hour later)
The nephew of Jimmy Savile has spoken of his family's "hurt" over allegations of sexual abuse surrounding the late TV presenter and DJ. The nephew of Jimmy Savile has spoken of his family's "hurt" over the alleged sexual abuse by the late TV presenter.
Police believe Savile could have sexually abused as many as 300 people. Roger Foster told BBC Radio 5 Live the claims had led to the "total annihilation" of Savile's character.
Roger Foster said the claims had left his family questioning their feelings towards him and his charitable work. Police believe Savile could have abused as many as 300 people. "I cannot make sense of it," Mr Foster added.
Separately the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales is trying to have Savile's papal knighthood posthumously removed.Separately the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales is trying to have Savile's papal knighthood posthumously removed.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Nicky Campbell, Mr Foster said: "These things we knew absolutely nothing at all about until these revelations have come out now." Speaking to 5 live's Nicky Campbell, Mr Foster said he now thought of his uncle with "great sadness".
He went on: "It hurts me as much, hurts our family as much, in a different way but probably also maybe in the same way as it hurts the victims of this abuse. "How can a man with so much to offer, have done so much, yet have jeopardised the whole thing by behaving the way that he did?
"Ultimately it's led to the total annihilation of his character."
If Savile was still alive, "knowing his personality, knowing his character, he would defend himself vigorously", Mr Foster said.
"I earnestly wish that he was still alive, because it would clarify the situation. And if he was found to be guilty, I would be the first one in line to condemn him."
Police have launched a criminal investigation into Savile, who died last year aged 84.
"These things we knew absolutely nothing at all about until these revelations have come out now," Mr Foster said.
"It hurts me as much, hurts our family as much, in a different way but probably also maybe in the same way as it hurts the victims of this abuse.
"It's just so unexpected, so totally, at first, unbelievable - but now it's not unbelievable any more there has been that many, that many similarities up and down the country that it's believable.""It's just so unexpected, so totally, at first, unbelievable - but now it's not unbelievable any more there has been that many, that many similarities up and down the country that it's believable."
In an earlier statement, Mr Foster said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered from every kind of abuse over so many years.In an earlier statement, Mr Foster said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have suffered from every kind of abuse over so many years.
"We offer our deepest sympathy in what must have been a terrible time for all of them.""We offer our deepest sympathy in what must have been a terrible time for all of them."
Police have launched a criminal investigation into Savile, who died last year aged 84.
Mr Foster said he did not know when the allegations against his uncle would end, adding the repercussions of the scandal were "enormous".Mr Foster said he did not know when the allegations against his uncle would end, adding the repercussions of the scandal were "enormous".
He said it took some time for the relatives to come to terms with the allegations that were being made, and the public anger they had generated. "How could anyone live their life doing 'the most good and most evil' at the same time?" he said.
Mr Foster said: "How could the person we thought we knew and loved do such a thing?
"Why would a man who raised so much money for charity, who gave so much of his own time and energy for others risk it all doing indecent criminal acts?
"How could anyone live their life doing 'the most good and most evil' at the same time?"
Papal knighthoodPapal knighthood
Separately the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, has written to the Vatican to ask if Savile's papal knighthood can be posthumously removed.Separately the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, has written to the Vatican to ask if Savile's papal knighthood can be posthumously removed.
He wants Church officials in Rome to investigate the matter, in recognition of the "deep distress" of the late presenter's abuse victims. There is no established process to remove a papal knighthood posthumously because the honour dies with the recipient.
A spokesman for Archbishop Nichols said he was making what was "clearly an exceptional request", for Church officials in Rome to investigate the matter, in recognition of the "deep distress" of the late presenter's alleged abuse victims.
Savile was made a Knight Commander of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1990 for his charity work.Savile was made a Knight Commander of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II in 1990 for his charity work.
The BBC has announced three inquiries as a result of the Jimmy Savile abuse claims.The BBC has announced three inquiries as a result of the Jimmy Savile abuse claims.
On Monday, former Court of Appeal judge Dame Janet Smith will begin a review into the culture and practices of the corporation during Savile's time there, and will also examine if the BBC's child protection and whistleblowing policies are fit for purpose.On Monday, former Court of Appeal judge Dame Janet Smith will begin a review into the culture and practices of the corporation during Savile's time there, and will also examine if the BBC's child protection and whistleblowing policies are fit for purpose.
An independent inquiry led by former Sky head of news Nick Pollard will also examine whether there were any failings in the BBC's management of a Newsnight investigation about Savile which was not broadcast.An independent inquiry led by former Sky head of news Nick Pollard will also examine whether there were any failings in the BBC's management of a Newsnight investigation about Savile which was not broadcast.