Max Clifford: 'Nothing To Hide' Over Sex Claims

Max Clifford has said he will try to continue to lead a normal life after being arrested over allegations of sexual offences he called "totally untrue".

The publicist was released on bail on Thursday after being detained at his Surrey home by officers from Operation Yewtree, the investigation set up in the wake of the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.

Clifford, 69, was held on suspicion of historic sex offences and taken to Belgravia police station in central London for questioning.

Speaking to reporters as he left his house today, Clifford said the allegations "are totally without any foundation and are totally untrue".

He said he had "absolutely nothing to hide" over the claims he believed dated from 1977 and a few years afterwards.

He went on: "I'll be working as I normally do - so trying to make things as normal as I possibly can in the circumstances."

Clifford said it had been "a horrible experience but you have to face up to these things".

He continued: "The police have got to look into it (the allegations). That's what they have to do and obviously I have to answer their questions and hopefully show clearly and conclusively to them and everybody else that there's absolutely no truth in it at all."

Speaking outside the police station on Thursday night, he said: "Anyone who really knew me all those years ago and those who have known me since will have no doubt that I would never act in the way that I have today been accused."

Officers said he was bailed to appear at a later date but refused to give any further details.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said on Thursday: "The individual (held today) falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others'. We are not prepared to discuss further."

Police working on Operation Yewtree have said they were looking at three categories of offences; those allegedly committed by Savile alone, those allegedly committed by Savile and others, and alleged offences by others.

Clifford is the fifth suspect to be arrested - and the sixth person to be questioned - in connection with the Yewtree operation, which has already cost around £2m and involves a team of 30 officers.

Among those arrested have been former pop star Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr, DJ Dave Lee Travis and a man in his 70s, reported to be former television producer Wilfred De'Ath.