Freddie Starr Arrested In Savile Abuse Probe

Comedian Freddie Starr has been arrested by police investigating allegations of sex abuse against Sir Jimmy Savile.

The 69-year-old was arrested in Warwickshire at 5.45pm today as part of Operation Yewtree.

Starr, who denies any wrongdoing, had said at the weekend he was prepared to speak to officers after becoming publicly linked with the Savile scandal.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "Officers working on Operation Yewtree have this evening arrested a man in 60s, in connection with the investigation.

"The man from Warwickshire was arrested at approximately 17.45 on suspicion of sexual offences and has been into custody locally.

"The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we are terming 'Savile and others'."

Starr appeared with Savile on an episode of BBC show Clunk Click in 1974 alongside Karin Ward, who has since accused him of molesting her.

Ms Ward, who was 14 at the time, was the main interviewee in the ITV documentary which exposed the Savile sex abuse scandal.

Starr denied touching her inappropriately and said he had not met her on the show.

His lawyer later issued a statement claiming he had been mistaken and he had appeared on the programme after all.

Starr's arrest follows that of Gary Glitter, who was questioned at a central London police station on Sunday after being detained at his home in the capital.

The former pop star was later released on bail.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into Savile, who died last year at the age of 84.

He is now believed to have been one of the UK's most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims.

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 investigation into Savile's activities shelved.

The review, led by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News, will report back on its findings later this month, it was announced earlier.