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Jimmy Savile scandal: BBC, star's estate and hospitals face 43 lawsuits Jimmy Savile scandal: BBC, star's estate and hospitals face 43 lawsuits
(about 2 hours later)
Jimmy Savile's estate, the BBC and five other institutions including Stoke Mandeville hospital have been issued with formal notice that they face legal action from 43 victims seeking damages for alleged sexual abuse.Jimmy Savile's estate, the BBC and five other institutions including Stoke Mandeville hospital have been issued with formal notice that they face legal action from 43 victims seeking damages for alleged sexual abuse.
Separately, the BBC confirmed on Monday that the number of current staff facing internal allegations of sexual misconduct has risen to 20.Separately, the BBC confirmed on Monday that the number of current staff facing internal allegations of sexual misconduct has risen to 20.
One of those making a civil damages claim is a woman who was just eight years old – believed to be the youngest known victim so far – when she claimed she was molested by Savile while recovering from surgery at Stoke Mandeville hospital.One of those making a civil damages claim is a woman who was just eight years old – believed to be the youngest known victim so far – when she claimed she was molested by Savile while recovering from surgery at Stoke Mandeville hospital.
Liz Dux, a solicitor at law firm Russell Jones Walking which is acting for 36 claimants including the woman, said "letters before action" have been issued to the executors of the Savile estate, the BBC, Stoke Mandeville, Leeds general infirmary, Broadmoor and unnamed another care institution.Liz Dux, a solicitor at law firm Russell Jones Walking which is acting for 36 claimants including the woman, said "letters before action" have been issued to the executors of the Savile estate, the BBC, Stoke Mandeville, Leeds general infirmary, Broadmoor and unnamed another care institution.
Alan Collins, of law firm Pannone, said he had now sent seven letters before action on behalf of Savile victims. Six of these claims are against the Savile estate, and one is against the BBC.Alan Collins, of law firm Pannone, said he had now sent seven letters before action on behalf of Savile victims. Six of these claims are against the Savile estate, and one is against the BBC.
Collins, a solicitor who acted on behalf of Jersey child abuse victims in the Haut de la Garenne scandal, said he would visit at least another 20 victims in November with a view to lodging further personal injury claims.Collins, a solicitor who acted on behalf of Jersey child abuse victims in the Haut de la Garenne scandal, said he would visit at least another 20 victims in November with a view to lodging further personal injury claims.
"The youngest victim we have was eight when it happened, the oldest 23. They most claims are against the BBC or Savile in person, people who were attacked in chance encounters with him. The rest are evenly spread among the other institutions," Dux said."The youngest victim we have was eight when it happened, the oldest 23. They most claims are against the BBC or Savile in person, people who were attacked in chance encounters with him. The rest are evenly spread among the other institutions," Dux said.
Dux told the Sun: "She was a little girl who went in for treatment [at Stoke Mandeville] and came out an abuse victim. She should have been protected."Dux told the Sun: "She was a little girl who went in for treatment [at Stoke Mandeville] and came out an abuse victim. She should have been protected."
At 20, the number of complaints against BBC staff is more than double the figure issued following the questioning of BBC director general George Entwistle by the Commons culture, media and sport select committee last month.At 20, the number of complaints against BBC staff is more than double the figure issued following the questioning of BBC director general George Entwistle by the Commons culture, media and sport select committee last month.
"All new allegations are passed to the BBC investigations unit or to the police as appropriate. Numbers will fluctuate both up and down as new allegations are made and investigated. Once they have been investigated – either resulting in further action or the matter being cleared and resolved – the cases will be closed," said a BBC spokeswoman."All new allegations are passed to the BBC investigations unit or to the police as appropriate. Numbers will fluctuate both up and down as new allegations are made and investigated. Once they have been investigated – either resulting in further action or the matter being cleared and resolved – the cases will be closed," said a BBC spokeswoman.
Culture secretary Maria Miller warned the BBC over the weekend that the government had not ruled out a public inquiry into the Savile abuse on its premises.
She was reiterating comments made by David Cameron two weeks ago during prime minister's questions and warned that if the BBC's internal inquiry led by Dame Janet Smith was not satisfactory a public inquiry would be an option.
"If the investigations are considered not to suffice because of issues around transparency, process or other such things, then a public inquiry remains an option on the table," said Miller in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph.
Both BBC inquiries into the Savile abuse and into the decision to shelve a Newsnight investigation in late 2011 into allegations against the late Jim'll Fix It presenter are being held behind closed doors.
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