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Lyons: 'Hysteria' over BBC's role in Savile rumours

Lyons: 'Hysteria' over BBC's role in Savile rumours

Sir Michael Lyons has hit out at the “hysteria” about the BBC’s role in the allegations surrounding the late broadcaster Jimmy Savile.

After it was revealed that the former controller of BBC Radio 1 confronted Jimmy Savile over rumours about his conduct over 20 years ago, Sir Michael said the problems over Savile’s conduct went “much wider” than the BBC.

He also insisted there was “no question” of the matter having been covered up by the organisation.  

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling this morning said people were "utterly horrified" by the allegations, and insisted the BBC had to "learn lessons" from the incident. 

"I think we’ve all been shocked by the revelations that have come out. The stories involving NHS hospitals, involving homes for very vulnerable children. I think all of us who once saw Jimmy Savile as a great national figure now are utterly horrified by the truth that’s emerged about him," he told Sky News.

"The BBC in particular has to learn lessons from this. I think they’ve come forward with the right approach saying ‘we will investigate, we will do it properly’. I think the comments from Lord Patten, the BBC Trust chairman, have been absolutely right. This was a shocking story, these revelations are appalling, they must never, ever, ever happen again."

Earlier today, former radio controller Derek Chinnery said he asked the broadcaster “about these rumours we hear”, only to be told “that’s all nonsense”.

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