Dimbleby slams anti-BBC Savile witch-hunt

Veteran BBC presenter Jonathan Dimbleby as attacked the "disturbing relish" with which some people have laid into the BBC over the Jimmy Savile affair, when the real focus should be on what Savile did wrong.

In an interview with The Times, the Radio 4 presenter, who first started working at the BBC in the late 1960s, said: "I think it's disgraceful and horribly out of proportion to hound everyone at the BBC in a way that is unwarranted and lacks perspective when the real focus should be on what Savile did wrong.

"Paedophilia is a huge national problem that no one thought about 50 years ago and is now something that concerns everyone, but this has become a witchhunt against the BBC."

Blaming the media and politicians for getting their priorities wrong, Mr Dimbleby added: "Organisations that have come under flack recently such as newspapers and MPs want to get their revenge. They think the BBC is too smug and holier-than-thou.

"But there is a disturbing relish in the way the critics have laid into the BBC, holding today's office-holders to account for what happened 30 years ago."

Comedian Freddie Starr was released on bail for a second time last night after being questioned by police investigating the abuse scandal.

The 69-year-old, from Warwickshire, was held on suspicion of sexual offences before being re-bailed to a date in December.

He has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged abuse and last month branded Savile "despicable" and "disgusting", urging police to interview him so he could clear his name.

His release came as solicitor Liz Dux said Savile's estate, the BBC and three hospitals - Stoke Mandeville, Leeds General Infirmary and Broadmoor - are facing possible legal action by alleged victims.

Ms Dux, who is representing more than 20 people who claim to have been sexually assaulted, said formal notice had been sent to "all interested parties" of an intention to pursue claims against them.