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Tony Blackburn 'sacked' by BBC over Savile inquiry Tony Blackburn 'sacked' by BBC over Savile inquiry
(35 minutes later)
DJ Tony Blackburn says he has been sacked by the BBC after a disagreement over his evidence to an inquiry into Jimmy Savile.DJ Tony Blackburn says he has been sacked by the BBC after a disagreement over his evidence to an inquiry into Jimmy Savile.
He says the Dame Janet Smith report contains details of an accusation that he was among a number of celebrities who seduced a 15-year-old girl. He says the Dame Janet Smith report, due later, includes a claim he was among a number of celebrities who seduced a 15-year-old girl.
The Radio 2 DJ says he was cleared of any wrongdoing but says the decision to end his contract relates to an investigation into the matter.The Radio 2 DJ says he was cleared of any wrongdoing but says the decision to end his contract relates to an investigation into the matter.
The BBC has yet to comment.The BBC has yet to comment.
He says the claim made in 1971 was quickly withdrawn.He says the claim made in 1971 was quickly withdrawn.
The girl at the centre of the allegation took her own life later that year.The girl at the centre of the allegation took her own life later that year.
Mr Blackburn said Dame Janet's report into Savile and the BBC makes no suggestion he was guilty of misconduct with the girl, nor did a coroner's inquest or a subsequent police inquiry.Mr Blackburn said Dame Janet's report into Savile and the BBC makes no suggestion he was guilty of misconduct with the girl, nor did a coroner's inquest or a subsequent police inquiry.
He says during her review Dame Janet has seen BBC records allegedly showing he was interviewed about the girl's diary by a senior BBC executive, Bill Cotton, and by a senior lawyer. He says during her review Dame Janet saw BBC records allegedly showing he was interviewed about the girl's diary by a senior BBC executive, Bill Cotton, and by a senior lawyer.
The DJ says he repeatedly told the review that he was never interviewed by either man.The DJ says he repeatedly told the review that he was never interviewed by either man.
He said in a statement: "They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs."He said in a statement: "They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs."
"Sadly what is happening to me now seems entirely in keeping with the past BBC culture of whitewash and cover up.""Sadly what is happening to me now seems entirely in keeping with the past BBC culture of whitewash and cover up."
The long-awaited report on what the BBC knew of sexual abuse committed by Jimmy Savile while he was employed by the corporation is due to be published later. Dame Janet's investigation into dozens of sexual assaults by Savile heard evidence from more than 700 people.
Dame Janet's investigation into dozens of sexual assaults by Savile heard evidence from over 700 people.
They included two BBC managers who confronted Savile over claims he took teenagers home from Top of the Pops.They included two BBC managers who confronted Savile over claims he took teenagers home from Top of the Pops.
A draft of the report leaked last month criticised the BBC's "deferential culture" and "untouchable stars".A draft of the report leaked last month criticised the BBC's "deferential culture" and "untouchable stars".
The impartial investigation by Dame Janet, a former High Court judge, was set up by the BBC in 2012 to look at the corporation's culture and practices during the years it employed Savile - thought to be from 1964 to 2007.The impartial investigation by Dame Janet, a former High Court judge, was set up by the BBC in 2012 to look at the corporation's culture and practices during the years it employed Savile - thought to be from 1964 to 2007.
BBC media correspondent David Sillito said the essence of the inquiry was to establish whether senior managers were aware of his offending and how much was just rumour.BBC media correspondent David Sillito said the essence of the inquiry was to establish whether senior managers were aware of his offending and how much was just rumour.
A statement from Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, is expected after the report is published on Thursday morning.A statement from Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, is expected after the report is published on Thursday morning.
Former BBC presenter Savile exploited his celebrity status to abuse hundreds of adults and children across the country, assaulting or raping them in television dressing rooms, hospitals, schools, children's homes and his caravan.Former BBC presenter Savile exploited his celebrity status to abuse hundreds of adults and children across the country, assaulting or raping them in television dressing rooms, hospitals, schools, children's homes and his caravan.
The abuse is thought to have begun in the mid-1940s, when he was in his late teens or early 20s, and lasted until 2009.The abuse is thought to have begun in the mid-1940s, when he was in his late teens or early 20s, and lasted until 2009.