Claudia cop joins Savile probe at Leeds hospital

Retired Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway has been brought in by hospital bosses looking into Savile’s activities in Leeds.

Until his retirement last month, Det Supt Galloway headed North Yorkshire Police’s search for Miss Lawrence, who is believed to have been murdered.

Maggie Boyle, chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, has now announced he will join their investigation team.

She told a meeting of hospitals trust directors: “We have appointed Ray Galloway to undertake the investigation and interview witnesses.”

Following hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse by Savile, who had a 40-year association with Leeds hospitals, a national investigation looking into his involvement with the NHS was started.

Miss Boyle and hospitals trust non-executive director Lynn Hagger met national enquiry head Kate Lampard last month.

“We informed her that we have now set up a local oversight panel, chaired by Lynn Hagger,” Miss Boyle said.

Professor Sue Proctor – former chief nurse for Yorkshire and the Humber – is leading Leeds hospitals’ own investigation.

Mr Galloway, who retired on January 17, will assist the inquiry by interviewing witnesses.

The former detective spent 24 years with Merseyside Police before joining North Yorkshire Police in 2006.

He had headed the investigation into the disappearance for Claudia Lawrence since March 2009.

No trace of the 35-year-old has been found.

On his retirement Mr Galloway said his “fervent wish” was that the case would be resolved to bring some comfort to Miss Lawrence’s family.

North Yorkshire Police said they would continue the hunt for answers over the chef’s fate.