Starr arrested as part of Savile abuse investigation

Detectives investigating allegations of sex abuse surrounding Jimmy Savile have arrested comedian Freddie Starr, sources said.

Starr, 69, was arrested in Warwickshire at 5.45pm yesterday, as part of Operation Yewtree.

The comedian has been publicly implicated in the Savile scandal over the past month but has strongly denied the accusations.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said “a man in his 60s” had been arrested “on suspicion of sexual offences”. The spokesman said the arrest falls under the strand of the investigation termed “Savile and others”.

Last month Starr branded Savile “despicable” and “disgusting” and urged police to interview him so he could clear his name.

His arrest follows that of Gary Glitter on Sunday. The former pop star was questioned at a central London police station after being detained at his home.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was photo- graphed leaving Charing Cross police station later that day but Scotland Yard did not comment on his release.

Savile, who died last year at the age of 84, is now believed to have been one of the UK’s most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into Savile’s activities. Detectives are following 400 lines of inquiry while the BBC has launched an inquiry into the culture and practices at the corporation in the era of Savile’s alleged sexual abuse.

It is also looking at the decision-making process which saw a Newsnight probe into Savile’s activities shelved. The review, led by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News, will report on its findings later this month.

It also emerged yesterday that Savile’s estate, said to be worth £4.3m, has been frozen. NatWest Bank, which is acting as Savile’s executor and trustee, said the distribution of his assets had been put on hold because of the allegations.

Savile’s victims are to sue his estate to get answers and compensation. A solicitor representing alleged victims said lawyers are also looking into Savile’s overseas assets, thought to be administered from the Channel Islands.