We have no record of Jimmy Savile abuse reports, says BBC boss

Sir Jimmy Savile has been accused of assaulting girls as young as 14 (Getty Images)

The BBC can find no record of any complaints of sexual abuse made against Sir Jimmy Savile during his long career with the broadcaster despite a series of claims coming to light this week, the corporation's new director -general, George Entwistle said yesterday.

The BBC will not carry out an internal inquiry after being advised by police that it could interfere with criminal investigations, Mr Entwistle told staff in an email after what he said had been a "difficult week" . He added that he had "personally been in touch with the police at a senior level to discuss how we should proceed". It follows claims that BBC staff ignored rumours that the TV presenter and DJ, pictured, abused teenage girls in his dressing room in the 1960s and 1970s. "We have already carried out a thorough search of our written records," Mr Entwistle said. "Crucially and regrettably, it appears no complaints were made at the time – and we have found nothing at this stage to suggest any known wrongdoing was ignored by management."