The BBC could face a full public inquiry into the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal if the corporation’s investigations fail to “get to the bottom” of the accusations, Britain's Culture Secretary Maria Miller has warned.

Women who claim they were abused by Jimmy Savile at a girls’ school were “delinquents” who were “looking for money” by making allegations against the late TV entertainer, their former headteacher has said.

The “best opportunity” to catch Jimmy Savile over abuse claims was missed by police who decided not to interview the former headteacher of a children’s home, it was claimed today.

Anger over Jimmy Savile’s alleged sex abuse, as more women make claims they were victims over many years, has led to a memorial being attacked and fears of further reprisals.