Savile programme child claim
Jimmy Savile created his TV shows to gain access to children, Mark Williams-Thomas, the child protection expert and criminologist who helped expose the late entertainer as a paedophile, has said.
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'Savile created his TV shows to get access to children'
Jimmy Savile created his TV shows to gain access to children, Mark Williams-Thomas, the child protection expert and criminologist who helped expose the late entertainer as a paedophile, has said.
The former police detective has been making a follow-up programme to his original ITV1 Exposure documentary into allegations that the star sexually abused vulnerable teenage girls.
He told the Radio Times:
In the previous programme it was unclear what came first.
But I can very clearly tell you now that he created his television series as a vehicle for his offending.
I believe he engineered his programmes within the BBC and Radio Luxembourg in order to gain access to children.The classic examples are Top Of The Pops, Savile's Travels, Jim'll Fix It - all of them gave him access to young children. That's why there were so many victims.
New ITV Exposure Savile documentary to be broadcast
Mark Williams-Thomas, the criminologist who led the initial ITV Exposure documentary that revealed the Jimmy Savile abuse claims, has tweeted that a follow-up programme will be broadcast in just under two weeks' time.
I can confirm that my next programme a 1 hr special about #JimmySavile will be shown on ITV1 at 22.35pm on Wednesday 21st November
From @mwilliamsthomas on Twitter:Advertisement
West Yorkshire Police on Savile Ripper questioning
– West Yorkshire Police spokesmanAs with thousands of other men in Leeds at the time, he may at some time have been approached by detectives on the investigation.
What is without doubt is that Savile was clearly not the Yorkshire Ripper.
Police: Savile may have been questioned over Ripper murders
Jimmy Savile may have been questioned by detectives investigating the Yorkshire Ripper murders, West Yorkshire Police confirmed today.
The revelation comes after a senior officer who worked on the inquiry revealed the disgraced DJ was a suspect in the notorious case more than 30 years ago.
Former West Yorkshire Police detective John Stainthorpe said police approached the Leeds-born presenter after an anonymous tip-off.
Mr Stainthorpe, who spent 40 years in the force, told ITV's Calendar News: "When the Ripper was really active, one of the suspects put forward by the public was, in fact, Jimmy Savile. Obviously, it was not he, but he was interviewed along with many others."
Savile questioned over Yorkshire Ripper murders
Jimmy Savile was questioned as a suspect by police investigating the Yorkshire Ripper, according to a retired police officer.
Read the full storyFull interview: Savile questioned over Ripper murders
Police investigating the Yorkshire Ripper murders questioned Jimmy Savile as a possible suspect more than thirty years ago, according to a retired detective. In an exclusive interview with ITV Calendar, former detective John Stainthorpe said:
"When the Ripper was really active, one of the suspects put forward by the public was Jimmy Savile, obviously it was not he, but he was interviewed, along with many others"
"Every suspect was taken seriously [...] knowing what I know now the person was heading in the right direction, because child perverts, soon become child killers as we know from other cases"
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Criminologist: 'It's important to keep Savile in context'
The former police detective Mark Williams Thomas has confirmed that Jimmy Savile was questioned by police "on more than one occasion" in connection with the Yorkshire Ripper investigation.
But he is eager to stress that it is important to put this questioning in context.
1 of 2 I can confirm the @itvcalandar exclusive by @itvyorkshire that #jimmysavile was spoken to as part of Ripper investigation
From @mwilliamsthomas on Twitter:2 of 2 however important to remember #jimmysavile lived close to red light areas & as a result was often seen in the areas.
From @mwilliamsthomas on Twitter:Important to keep context #jimmysavile knew Yorkshire Ripper , the Krays & other dangerous offenders. He enjoyed knowing these people
From @mwilliamsthomas on Twitter:Press coverage of friendship of Yorkshire Ripper and Jimmy Savile
The revelations that Jimmy Savile was questioned while police were hunting the Yorkshire Ripper comes after a series of stories in the press linking the two.
Savile was acquainted with Peter Sutcliffe through his work as a volunteer at the Broadmoor prison.
The Sun has reported that Peter Sutcliffe claims that Savile was innocent of the recent abuse claims and that victims coming forward are 'jumping on the bandwagon.
The Huffington Post has a picture of Savile introducing boxer Frank Bruno to Sutcliffe during a visit to Broadmoor.
Former health secretary defends Savile NHS probe
Former health secretary Andrew Lansley has insisted an investigation into claims of sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile on NHS premises would be handled "independently and effectively."
Former barrister Kate Lampard will oversee the investigations into the disgraced DJ at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Broadmoor and Leeds General Infirmary.
Labour's Barbara Keeley asked "why the Department believes that internal reviews overseen by NHS insiders are sufficient when we've got abuses against children and vulnerable patients being alleged".
But Mr Lansley, now Leader of the House, replied: "I would say, knowing Kate Lampard, I am sure she will conduct her investigations in relation to the NHS independently and effectively."
Clifford: 'Stars are frightened of being implicated in Savile scandal'
Publicist Max Clifford has told ITV News he has been contacted stars of the 60s and 70s who are "concerned and frightened" they may be implicated in the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal.