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Jimmy Savile scandal: Lord Patten 'seeks abuse truth' Jimmy Savile scandal: Lord Patten 'seeks abuse truth'
(35 minutes later)
The chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, has expressed his determination to get to the bottom of the sexual abuse scandal involving Jimmy Savile.The chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, has expressed his determination to get to the bottom of the sexual abuse scandal involving Jimmy Savile.
Writing in the Mail On Sunday, he says the Corporation's reputation is on the line and it must face up to the truth. Writing in the Mail On Sunday, he says the corporation's reputation is on the line and it must face up to the truth.
Lord Patten apologises to women who told Newsnight of abuse they suffered but did not hear their stories told.Lord Patten apologises to women who told Newsnight of abuse they suffered but did not hear their stories told.
Meanwhile, ex-BBC director general Mark Thompson has denied being told about allegations of abuse by Savile.Meanwhile, ex-BBC director general Mark Thompson has denied being told about allegations of abuse by Savile.
Mr Thompson left the BBC shortly before the scandal broke.Mr Thompson left the BBC shortly before the scandal broke.
The Sunday Times reports that his office was alerted on at least two occasions.The Sunday Times reports that his office was alerted on at least two occasions.
It is thought that Savile, who died last year aged 84, may have abused scores of young girls and some boys over a 40-year period.It is thought that Savile, who died last year aged 84, may have abused scores of young girls and some boys over a 40-year period.
About 300 people may have been victims of sexual abuse, according to Scotland Yard.About 300 people may have been victims of sexual abuse, according to Scotland Yard.
The TV presenter and DJ, who was knighted in 1996, was a UK household name in the 1970s and 80s.The TV presenter and DJ, who was knighted in 1996, was a UK household name in the 1970s and 80s.
In his article for the Mail on Sunday, Lord Patten says the BBC "risks squandering public trust" and its "reputation is on the line" because one of its stars was apparently a sexual criminal.In his article for the Mail on Sunday, Lord Patten says the BBC "risks squandering public trust" and its "reputation is on the line" because one of its stars was apparently a sexual criminal.
"Like many who work for the BBC, I feel a sense of particular remorse that abused women spoke to Newsnight, presumably at great personal pain, yet did not have their stories told as they expected," he says."Like many who work for the BBC, I feel a sense of particular remorse that abused women spoke to Newsnight, presumably at great personal pain, yet did not have their stories told as they expected," he says.
He also asks whether anybody knew of the abuse allegations.He also asks whether anybody knew of the abuse allegations.
'Co-operate fully''Co-operate fully'
Lord Patten goes on: "Can it really be the case that no one knew what he was doing? Did some turn a blind eye to criminality? Did some prefer not to follow up their suspicions because of this criminal's popularity and place in the schedules?"Lord Patten goes on: "Can it really be the case that no one knew what he was doing? Did some turn a blind eye to criminality? Did some prefer not to follow up their suspicions because of this criminal's popularity and place in the schedules?"
The BBC Trust chairman goes on to stress that he has instructed current BBC director general George Entwistle that staff must "co-operate fully" with the inquiry, led by former Sky News chief Nick Pollard, into the reasons behind the dropping of the Newsnight report.The BBC Trust chairman goes on to stress that he has instructed current BBC director general George Entwistle that staff must "co-operate fully" with the inquiry, led by former Sky News chief Nick Pollard, into the reasons behind the dropping of the Newsnight report.
"The sooner the report emerges the better, but no one should lean on Mr Pollard to cut corners," he says."The sooner the report emerges the better, but no one should lean on Mr Pollard to cut corners," he says.
"We want and need a full account of what happened, wherever its conclusions lead. The Trust will publish it and take whatever steps are necessary."We want and need a full account of what happened, wherever its conclusions lead. The Trust will publish it and take whatever steps are necessary.
"The BBC must tell the truth and face up to the truth about itself, however terrible.""The BBC must tell the truth and face up to the truth about itself, however terrible."
Lord Patten adds that the Corporation must "retain its capacity to conduct investigative journalism without fear or favour".Lord Patten adds that the Corporation must "retain its capacity to conduct investigative journalism without fear or favour".
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times says the former director general's office was formally alerted about the allegations in May and September.Meanwhile, the Sunday Times says the former director general's office was formally alerted about the allegations in May and September.
It reports that, in May, journalist Miles Goslett spoke to Jessica Cecil, the head of Thompson's office, and asked to speak to him concerning allegations of sexual abuse by Savile.It reports that, in May, journalist Miles Goslett spoke to Jessica Cecil, the head of Thompson's office, and asked to speak to him concerning allegations of sexual abuse by Savile.
Mr Goslett is said to have been told to speak to the press office. The newspaper reports that Ms Cecil says she did not tell Mr Thompson about the allegations, which are also said to have been laid out in a rejected freedom of information request just months earlier.Mr Goslett is said to have been told to speak to the press office. The newspaper reports that Ms Cecil says she did not tell Mr Thompson about the allegations, which are also said to have been laid out in a rejected freedom of information request just months earlier.
A BBC spokesman also confirmed to the Sunday Times that an email was received from ITV in September after it had launched its own Savile investigation.A BBC spokesman also confirmed to the Sunday Times that an email was received from ITV in September after it had launched its own Savile investigation.
He said the email was sent to the BBC editorial policy department and Thompson's office, although a spokesman for the former director general told the paper Mr Thompson was not informed of the allegations on either occasion.He said the email was sent to the BBC editorial policy department and Thompson's office, although a spokesman for the former director general told the paper Mr Thompson was not informed of the allegations on either occasion.
Allegations of sexual abuse against Savile have continued to mount since claims were first made public in an ITV documentary at the beginning of October.Allegations of sexual abuse against Savile have continued to mount since claims were first made public in an ITV documentary at the beginning of October.
The BBC has announced two inquiries as a result of the Jimmy Savile abuse claims, and a further review into the current sexual harassment policies at the BBC.The BBC has announced two inquiries as a result of the Jimmy Savile abuse claims, and a further review into the current sexual harassment policies at the BBC.
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 whether 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 whether 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.