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Jim Davidson released on bail by sex abuse inquiry police | Jim Davidson released on bail by sex abuse inquiry police |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Comedian Jim Davidson is one of two men arrested and bailed by the Met Police on suspicion of sexual offences. | Comedian Jim Davidson is one of two men arrested and bailed by the Met Police on suspicion of sexual offences. |
Officers from Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, arrested Mr Davidson in west London earlier on Wednesday. | Officers from Operation Yewtree, set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, arrested Mr Davidson in west London earlier on Wednesday. |
Mr Davidson's solicitor said his client - who has been bailed to return in March pending further inquiries - "vigorously denies" the alleged crimes. | Mr Davidson's solicitor said his client - who has been bailed to return in March pending further inquiries - "vigorously denies" the alleged crimes. |
A 53-year-old man was also arrested in Hampshire and subsequently bailed. | A 53-year-old man was also arrested in Hampshire and subsequently bailed. |
Scotland Yard said the arrests were not connected to the allegations made against ex-BBC presenter Savile, who died in 2011 aged 84. | Scotland Yard said the arrests were not connected to the allegations made against ex-BBC presenter Savile, who died in 2011 aged 84. |
'Not charged' | |
In a statement, Mr Davidson's solicitor, Henri Brandman, said two women have made allegations dating back approximately 25 years. | |
"The complainants were then in their mid-20s. Jim vigorously denies the allegations. | |
"He answered police questions as fully as he was able after this passage of time. | |
"He has not been charged with any offence. Neither he nor I will be making any further comment." | |
Mr Davidson, 59, presented long-running BBC One shows Generation Game and Big Break. | Mr Davidson, 59, presented long-running BBC One shows Generation Game and Big Break. |
His break came in 1976 when he won TV talent show New Faces, he hosted his own TV show The Jim Davidson Show, and has had continued success as stand-up comic. | His break came in 1976 when he won TV talent show New Faces, he hosted his own TV show The Jim Davidson Show, and has had continued success as stand-up comic. |
Mr Davidson has been widely reported to have been a planned housemate in the Channel 5 show Celebrity Big Brother which begins on Thursday night. The TV channel has made no comment on the matter. | |
He was appointed an OBE in 2001 for his services to charity. | He was appointed an OBE in 2001 for his services to charity. |
A BBC News cameraman has filmed footage of people, believed to be detectives, leaving Mr Davidson's house in Stockbridge, Hampshire, with boxes and bags. | A BBC News cameraman has filmed footage of people, believed to be detectives, leaving Mr Davidson's house in Stockbridge, Hampshire, with boxes and bags. |
Operation Yewtree is the Met's investigation into allegations, some dating back decades, that have arisen since Savile was accused of abuse. | Operation Yewtree is the Met's investigation into allegations, some dating back decades, that have arisen since Savile was accused of abuse. |
The operation has three strands. | The operation has three strands. |
One is looking specifically at the actions of Savile and the second strand concerns allegations against "Savile and others". | One is looking specifically at the actions of Savile and the second strand concerns allegations against "Savile and others". |
The third strand, under which the two men were arrested on Wednesday, relates to alleged complaints against other people unconnected to the Jimmy Savile investigations. | The third strand, under which the two men were arrested on Wednesday, relates to alleged complaints against other people unconnected to the Jimmy Savile investigations. |
These men are the ninth and 10th to be questioned as part of the police operation. | These men are the ninth and 10th to be questioned as part of the police operation. |
Of these, nine have been under arrest. | Of these, nine have been under arrest. |
High-profile names arrested in connection with the investigation are PR consultant Max Clifford, comedian Freddie Starr, DJ Dave Lee Travis and former TV producer Wilfred De'Ath, and former Radio 1 producer Ted Beston, who all deny any wrongdoing. | High-profile names arrested in connection with the investigation are PR consultant Max Clifford, comedian Freddie Starr, DJ Dave Lee Travis and former TV producer Wilfred De'Ath, and former Radio 1 producer Ted Beston, who all deny any wrongdoing. |
Gary Glitter, who was also arrested, has not yet made a statement. | Gary Glitter, who was also arrested, has not yet made a statement. |
A man in his 80s was also questioned. | A man in his 80s was also questioned. |
Savile was a BBC Radio 1 DJ and the presenter of the Jim'll Fix It show on BBC One. The police say 450 victims have alleged abuse by Savile alone. | Savile was a BBC Radio 1 DJ and the presenter of the Jim'll Fix It show on BBC One. The police say 450 victims have alleged abuse by Savile alone. |