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BBC 'found no evidence' of Jimmy Savile misconduct allegations

The BBC responded to reports that inappropriate behaviour by Sir Jimmy Savile had been an "open secret" at the corporation by saying it had found no evidence of any misconduct by the broadcaster.

In a statement, the BBC said:

The BBC has conducted extensive searches of its files to establish whether there is any record of misconduct or allegations of misconduct by Sir Jimmy Savile during his time at the BBC. No such evidence has been found.

Whilst the BBC condemns any behaviour of the type alleged in the strongest terms, in the absence of evidence of any kind found at the BBC that corroborates the allegations that have been made it is simply not possible for the corporation to take any further action.

The BBC also explained why an investigation by BBC2's Newsnight into Sir Jimmy was never broadcast.

Newsnight editor Peter Rippon said:

It is absolutely untrue that the Newsnight investigation was dropped for anything other than editorial reasons.

We have been very clear from the start that the piece was not broadcast because the story we were pursuing could not be substantiated.

To say otherwise is false and very damaging to the BBC and individuals. The notion that internal pressure was applied appears to be a malicious rumour.