BBC to conduct Jimmy Savile sex allegations inquiry

Mr Entwistle, who took over as director-general in September, added that he would like to “apologise on behalf of the organisation” in the wake of the allegations, which were revealed in an ITV documentary last week. He said any BBC inquiry would follow a criminal investigation.

Officials from the BBC met with police on Friday to discuss the allegations that Sir Jimmy abused teenage girls at various locations, including on BBC premises.

The announcement comes a day after Prime Minister David Cameron called for the allegations to be fully investigated. Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, Mr Cameron said: “I think it is pretty shocking, the allegations that we are reading.

“They need to be properly looked at, properly investigated. It seems to me it is very important that the organisation, the BBC, does that itself.”

Last week the former BBC1 controller Michael Grade admitted that there were rumours and “question marks” over Sir Jimmy whilst he worked at the corporation.

Since the documentary about Sir Jimmy aired, famous female BBC presenters have come forward to say that they were groped by individuals whilst at the BBC. Sandi Toksvig and Raadio 1 DJ Liz Kershaw have both said they took their complaints to other members of staff but to no avail.