In 1973 Jimmy Savile was asked by BBC management about claims of sexual impropriety, said no, and his bosses took no further action
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An inquiry into sexual abuse carried out by Jimmy Savile has shown how simply denying accusations of sexual impropriety appeared to be enough for the star to convince senior BBC personnel he was innocent.
In an extensive report into sexual abuse at the corporation released on Thursday, Dame Janet Smith rec counted a specific case when the former 'Top Of The Pops' presenter was able to avoid further investigation by doing nothing more than declaring his innocence.
The report, which can be read in full here, reads:
"There was one occasion of which I know when a senior manager heard disturbing rumours about Savile. In 1973, Douglas Muggeridge, the Controller of Radio 1 and 2 heard rumours about Savile's sexual impropriety. He set in train two lines of inquiry: see paragraphs 11.14 onwards and 11.34 onwards in the Report. The first line of enquiry led to a meeting between Savile, Derek Chinnery, then Head of Programmes for Radio 1, and Doreen Davies, an executive producer. Savile was asked whether there was any truth in the rumours; he said there was not and it appears that Mr Chinnery and Ms Davies believed him."
The full report makes sorry reading for the BBC which has been heavily criticised for a host of missed opportunities, failed investigations, and what was described as an "above the law" culture.
In particular, the corporation's method of inquiry is called into question.
According to Smith, not all complaints regarding Savile's conduct were referred to the Investigations Department, and in many cases no attempt was made to even collect evidence.
"One of the cultural or practical weaknesses which may well have contributed to a failure to check Savile's sexual misconduct was the BBC's method of investigation. Although the BBC had an Investigations Department, which may have been capable of conducting a thorough investigation, not all investigations were referred to that department. Indeed, I heard of several which were dealt with within the department in which they arose. Where the concern was of a sexual nature, the practice appears to have been merely to ask the person accused whether the allegation was true and, if it was denied, to accept the denial and say that nothing more could be done. There was no attempt to collect evidence which might support the complaint or even to provide general background to it."
The near-800 pages report highlights how serious failings at the BBC created an environment where Savile was able to carry out decades of abuse on young girls and boys.