Dame Janet Smith Review

Last updated

Dame Janet Smith led the inquiry into sexual misconduct at the BBC by Jimmy Savile Jimmy Savile 2006.jpg
Dame Janet Smith led the inquiry into sexual misconduct at the BBC by Jimmy Savile

In October 2012, Dame Janet Smith was appointed by the BBC to lead an inquiry into the corporation's connection to the sexual abuse committed by Jimmy Savile, a popular television and radio host. [1] The final report, titled The Dame Janet Smith Review Report, was published on 25 February 2016. [2]

Contents

In her investigation, Smith called for evidence from people who were the subject of inappropriate sexual conduct by Jimmy Savile on BBC premises, or on location for the BBC; people who knew of or suspected such conduct; anyone who raised concerns about Savile's conduct within the BBC; people who worked for or with Savile on programmes at the BBC between about 1964 and 2007, or who were familiar with "the culture or practices of the BBC during that time insofar as they may have been relevant to preventing or enabling the sexual abuse of children, young people or teenagers"; and people who held senior positions at the BBC who may have relevant information. [3] [4]

She found that Savile had sexually abused 72 people and had raped eight people, including an eight-year-old. Offences had occurred at "virtually every one of the BBC premises at which he worked". She also found that some members of the BBC staff were aware of complaints against Savile but did nothing about them.

History

The Report was announced in October 2012, and Dame Janet Smith, who had led The Shipman Inquiry , was selected to lead the inquiry. [1]

The investigation was delayed when Dame Janet Smith was contacted by the Metropolitan Police regarding their investigations into offences against children. [2] Their investigation on Savile, Operation Yewtree, was completed in December 2012 and their report on his alleged offending, Giving Victims a Voice , was released the following month. [5] [6]

In January 2014, it was claimed in The Observer that Smith's review had concluded Savile had abused "many hundreds and potentially up to 1,000 people" on BBC premises, according to a source connected with the investigation. [7] However, this Observer report was immediately denounced by the Dame Janet Smith Review as "speculative and unreliable". [8] The report was delayed again in 2014 so it would not prejudice the second trial of ex-BBC presenter Stuart Hall, who had previously been convicted of child sex offences. [9] On 1 May 2015, it was announced that the review report was finished, but it could not be published as it might prejudice ongoing police investigations. [8]

In January 2016, investigative news site Exaro leaked extracts of Smith's report. The extracts detailed numerous sex offences allegedly committed by Savile, all "in some way associated with the BBC", and concluded that it was possible that a predatory child sex offender could be "lurking undiscovered" even today, but stopped short of criticizing the BBC for failing to uncover Savile's behavior. Smith responded by stating that the leaked draft should never had been made public as it was out of date and unreliable. Early that week, police confirmed they were no longer concerned about the review prejudicing ongoing investigations. [10]

The full report was officially released 25 February 2016. [11]

Summary

In her report, Smith addressed the following questions: [2]

She then provided a number of recommendations for reform of the BBC's internal processes based on her investigation.

Findings

The review, which totalled more than 700 pages, found Savile had sexually abused 72 people and had raped eight people, including an eight-year-old, at "virtually every one of the BBC premises at which he worked". Smith stated that some BBC staff members were aware of complaints against Savile but did not pass the information to senior management due to the "culture of not complaining." She described an "atmosphere of fear" still existing at the BBC and that some of those interviewed for the inquiry did so only after being assured their names would not be published as they feared reprisal. [11]

A separate review into the offending of Stuart Hall found that he had assaulted 21 female victims at the BBC, the youngest of whom was aged ten, between 1967 and 1991. The report found that some BBC staff members were aware he was bringing underage girls into his dressing room for sex, but his "untouchable" celebrity status stopped them from passing complaints to senior management. [12]

Tony Blackburn sacking

Prior to the release of the report on 25 February 2016, the DJ Tony Blackburn, identified only as 'A7' in the Exaro leaks, released a statement announcing that he had been sacked by the BBC. The report criticized the BBC for failing to properly investigate allegations made by a 15-year-old Top of the Pops audience member, Claire McAlpine, who claimed Blackburn seduced her in 1971 and killed herself not long afterwards. Blackburn, who denies the allegations, told the inquiry that he was not asked about the allegations by light entertainment head Bill Cotton and Sir Brian Neill QC in 1971 and 1972, [13] although memos from the time indicated that he had been. [14] He accused the BBC of a cover-up and that he intended to take legal action against the corporation. [13] Blackburn returned to the BBC after eight months, not having taken any legal action. [15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Savile</span> English DJ and media personality (1926–2011)

Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile was an English media personality and DJ. He hosted the BBC shows Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It. During his lifetime, Savile was well known in the United Kingdom for his eccentric image and charitable work. After his death, hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse made against him were investigated, leading the police to conclude that he had been a predatory sex offender and possibly one of Britain's most prolific. There had been allegations during his lifetime, but they were dismissed and accusers ignored or were disbelieved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoke Mandeville Hospital</span> Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England

Stoke Mandeville Hospital is a large National Health Service (NHS) hospital located on the parish borders of Aylesbury and Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, England. It is managed by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Hall (presenter)</span> English media personality

James Stuart Hall Jr. is an English former media personality and convicted sex offender. He presented regional news programmes for the BBC in North West England in the 1960s and 1970s, while becoming known nationally for presenting the game show It's a Knockout. Hall's later career mainly involved football reporting on BBC Radio. In June 2013, he was convicted of multiple sexual offences against children, effectively ending his media and broadcasting career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadmoor Hospital</span> High security hospital in Berkshire, England

Broadmoor Hospital is a high-security psychiatric hospital in Crowthorne, Berkshire, England. It is the oldest of England's three high-security psychiatric hospitals, the other two being Ashworth Hospital near Liverpool and Rampton Secure Hospital in Nottinghamshire. The hospital's catchment area consists of four National Health Service regions: London, Eastern, South East and South West. It is managed by the West London NHS Trust.

Christopher David Denning was an English radio presenter and sex offender. His career effectively ended when he was convicted of sexual offences in 1974. He was imprisoned several times in the United Kingdom, Czechia and Slovakia between 1985 and his death in custody in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kincora Boys' Home</span> Boys home in Northern Ireland, subject of a child abuse scandal

The Kincora Boys' Home was a boys' home in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, that was the scene of serious organised child sexual abuse. It caused a scandal and led to an attempted cover-up in 1980, with allegations of state collusion. On 31 May 2016, the Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) began examining allegations relating to Kincora, including claims that a paedophile ring with links to the intelligence services was based there. Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said that all state agencies would co-operate with the inquiry.

Dame Janet Hilary Smith,, styled The Rt Hon. Lady Justice Smith, is an English barrister and former High Court Judge and President of the Council of The Inns of Court. She was the judge who prepared The Shipman Inquiry and the Dame Janet Smith Review,.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey child abuse investigation</span> Child abuse scandal

An investigation into historic child abuse in Jersey started in the spring of 2007. Before that, social worker Simon Bellwood had made a complaint about a "'Dickensian' system" where children as young as 11 were routinely locked up for 24 hours or more in solitary confinement in a secure unit where he worked. The wider investigation into child abuse over several decades became public in November that year. It received international attention when police moved in on Haut de la Garenne, then being used as a youth hostel.

Exaro or Exaro News was a British website based in London between 2011 and 2016. It purportedly undertook political investigative journalism, but is now primarily known for its direct involvement in the false allegations of sexual abuse put forward by "Nick" in Operation Midland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Yewtree</span> British police investigation

Operation Yewtree was a British police investigation into sexual abuse allegations, predominantly the abuse of children, against the English media personality Jimmy Savile and others. The investigation, led by the Metropolitan Police Service (Met), started in October 2012. After a period of assessment, it became a full criminal investigation, involving inquiries into living people, notably other celebrities, as well as Savile, who had died the previous year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal</span> Sexual assault scandal about English media personality

It emerged in late 2012 that Jimmy Savile, a British media personality who had died the previous year, had sexually abused many people throughout his life, mostly children but some as old as 75, and mostly female. He had been well known in the United Kingdom for his eccentric image and was generally respected for his charitable work, which associated him with the British monarchy and other individuals of personal power.

In 2012 and 2013, the British Broadcasting Corporation was involved in a series of investigations, accusations and scandals related to sexual abuse committed by employees, and the reporting of allegations of abuse by others. The issue of child sexual abuse by BBC employees was publicised nationally in October 2012 as part of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal. Savile was a radio DJ and TV personality who presented the programmes Top of the Pops, Jim'll Fix It and Clunk Click, and was a well known charity fundraiser. Allegations of sexual abuse by Savile and other BBC employees were reported to have taken place in a number of locations across the country, including BBC Television Centre.

The Elm Guest House was a hotel in Rocks Lane, near Barnes Common in southwest London. In a list produced by convicted fraudster Chris Fay, several prominent British men were alleged to have engaged in sexual abuse and child grooming at the Guest House in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Labour MP Tom Watson, having heard testimony from Carl Beech, suggested in an October 2012 statement to the House of Commons that a paedophile network which had existed at this time may have brought children to parties at the private residence.

<i>Giving Victims a Voice</i> Report relating to the allegations of sexual abuse made against Jimmy Savile

Giving Victims a Voice is a report published in January 2013, relating to allegations of sexual abuse made against English DJ and BBC Television presenter Jimmy Savile (1926–2011) as part of the Operation Yewtree criminal investigation. It was initiated as a result of publicity surrounding the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) jointly produced this report. It marked the end of investigations made under the operation regarding Savile alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Williams-Thomas</span> Investigative journalist

Mark Alan Williams-Thomas is an English investigative journalist, sexual abuse victim advocate, and former police officer. He is a regular reporter on This Morning and Channel 4 News, as well as the ITV series Exposure and the ITV and Netflix crime series The Investigator: A British Crime Story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom</span> Overview about child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom

Child sexual abuse in the United Kingdom has been reported in the country throughout its history. In about 90% of cases the abuser is a person known to the child. However, cases during the second half of the twentieth century, involving religious institutions, schools, popular entertainers, politicians, military personnel, and other officials, have been revealed and widely publicised since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Child sexual abuse rings in numerous towns and cities across the UK have also drawn considerable attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse</span> Official inquiry in England and Wales

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) in England and Wales was an inquiry examining how the country's institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse. It was announced by the British Home Secretary, Theresa May, on 7 July 2014. It published its 19th and final report on 20 October 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Midland</span> Metropolitan Police investigation into historic child abuse claims (2014–2016)

Operation Midland was a criminal investigation which the London Metropolitan Police carried out between November 2014 and March 2016 in response to false allegations of historic child abuse made by Carl Beech.

A child sexual abuse scandal involving the abuse of young players at football clubs in the United Kingdom began in mid-November 2016. The revelations began when former professional footballers waived their rights to anonymity and talked publicly about being abused by former coaches and scouts in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. This led to a surge of further allegations, as well as allegations that some clubs had covered them up.

The sexual abuse scandal at Crewe Alexandra F.C. concerned child sexual abuse by former football coach Barry Bennell while employed at English professional football club Crewe Alexandra in the 1980s. While Bennell had been convicted for sex offences in the US in 1994 and in the UK in 1998, fresh allegations were made in November 2016, initially relating to Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City. The scandal then rapidly extended as allegations were made about numerous other abusers at many other UK football clubs. The Football Association, football clubs and police forces quickly established various inquiries and investigations; by July 2018, 300 suspects were reported to have been identified by 849 alleged victims, with 2,807 incidents involving 340 different clubs.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jimmy Savile scandal: BBC announces inquiry heads". BBC News. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Smith, Janet (2016). "The Dame Janet Smith Review" (PDF). Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Appeal for witnesses – Jimmy Savile". The Dame Janet Smith Review. November 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  4. ↑ "Jimmy Savile scandal: Dame Janet Smith seeks witnesses". BBC News. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Savile abuse part of Operation Yewtree probe 'complete'". BBC News. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  6. ↑ Walker, Peter (11 January 2013). "Jimmy Savile report: key findings". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  7. ↑ Boffey, Daniel (19 January 2014). "Revealed: how Jimmy Savile abused up to 1,000 victims on BBC premises". The Observer . London. p. 1. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Updates". Dame Janet Smith Review. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "BBC Savile review delivery delayed". BBC News. 21 January 2014.
  10. ↑ Slawson, Nicola (21 January 2016). "Jimmy Savile report leak reveals scathing criticism of BBC". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  11. 1 2 Bilefsky, Dan (25 February 2016). "Jimmy Savile Inquiry Accuses BBC of Failing to Report Sexual Abuse". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  12. ↑ "'Atmosphere of fear' at BBC allowed Jimmy Savile to commit sex crimes, report finds". The Daily Telegraph. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  13. 1 2 Johnson, Ian (10 August 2016). "Tony Blackburn: I've been 'sacked by BBC' ahead of Jimmy Savile report". The Independent. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  14. ↑ Ward, Victoria (10 August 2016). "BBC memos 'prove that Tony Blackburn was quizzed over 1971 sex claim'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  15. ↑ "Tony Blackburn to return to BBC eight months after being sacked | BBC | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.