UNITED KINGDOM
BBC News
By Nic Rigby
BBC News
No evidence has been found to link disgraced TV star Jimmy Savile to an orphanage at the centre of an abuse inquiry, a chief constable has said.
Cabinet minister Justine Greening wrote to head of Bedfordshire Police Colette Paul after concerns were raised by constituent Gordon McIntosh.
It was reported Savile could have visited the home in the 1950s.
Mrs Paul said there was “anecdotal evidence” of Savile visiting the area but nothing linking him to the home.
Top of the Pops
Since Savile’s death in 2011, hundreds of people around the country have reported abuse by the former Top of the Pops presenter.
International Development Secretary Ms Greening said she had written to the chief constable asking for a new investigation to look at a “potential link with Jimmy Savile”.
In her reply, Mrs Paul said there was no evidence to “substantiate” links between the home and Savile.
“There have been anecdotal accounts of Jimmy Savile visiting the surrounding area in Bedfordshire but not St Francis Boys Home,” she said.” Should we receive any information or evidence to suggest that Jimmy Savile did attend the home this will be dealt with immediately.”
Mr McIntosh is a spokesman for a group of former residents of St Francis Boys’ Home, who allege abuse.
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