‘No case to answer’ for West Yorkshire police inspector over Savile allegations

A former inspector has been cleared by the police watchdog over claims he “acted on behalf” of Jimmy Savile by contacting officers before an interview.
Savile pictured with former PM HeathSavile pictured with former PM Heath
Savile pictured with former PM Heath

The officer, who was from West Yorkshire Police, was accused of contacting Surrey Police before they questioned Savile over alleged sexual offences in 2009.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) tonight said the officer, referred to in official reports as “Inspector 5” but thought to be Mick Starkey, has “no case to answer”.

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An IPCC spokesman said: “An IPCC investigation has concluded that a former West Yorkshire Police officer has no case to answer over allegations that he ‘acted on behalf’ of Jimmy Savile by inappropriately contacting Surrey Police ahead of a police interview in 2009.”

West Yorkshire Police was ordered by the IPCC in 2013 to refer the conduct of the officer.

The force said it had no comment to make tonight.

West Yorkshire was among seven forces asked by the IPCC in 2013 to review whether there were more conduct issues that should be referred to the watchdog over the Savile investigation.

In 2013, the force also conducted its own review into its contacts with Savile, which concluded there was no evidence the TV star was protected from arrest or prosecution as a result of his relationship with West Yorkshire Police or officers.

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The West Yorkshire review looked at a range of allegations about force’s contact with Savile, including claims made to Operation Yewtree investigators and others mentioned in a report on Savile’s offending by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

These ranged from officers attending Savile’s well-known Friday Morning Club at his Leeds flat to claims he had been interviewed by officers from the Yorkshire Ripper inquiry.

Police officers were among guests at the Friday Morning Club meetings, which were held at Savile’s luxury penthouse, and are believed to have taken place for around 20 years.

But the report found no evidence to conclude any misconduct in relation to the meetings and said there was no evidence of any allegation being made to the force at all before he died.