BBC report on Savile to be delayed for trial

Reports have claimed the review by Dame Janet Smith was expected to uncover hundreds of victims and reveal a culture of ignorance which “protected” Leeds entertainer Savile.

A parallel review, being carried out into Hall’s behaviour while at the corporation, is being chaired by former High Court judge Dame Linda Dobbs and will form part of the final report.

Hall, who worked on both radio and TV, is due to go on trial later this year accused of raping two young girls.

A statement published on the review website said it had recently received a request from Lancashire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service to postpone delivery of its report until the criminal proceedings against Hall had concluded in mid-2014.

It went on: “The review understands that this request arises from the possibility that it might be suggested that the report could adversely affect the fairness of Mr Hall’s trial.”

Liz Dux, head of abuse at Slater and Gordon which looks after more than 70 of the victims, said: “The victims will be naturally disappointed by the delay in the release of this report. They will understand the reasons why the release of the report has been delayed but for them their suffering continues until answers are given.”

Ministers yesterday revealed Savile’s links with a recovery home for children are being investigated.

Woodhouse Eaves Children’s Convalescent Home near Leicester becomes the 33rd health institution to be subject to an NHS examination, with Savile’s connections to 32 hospitals already under review.

The final reports for the investigations are expected to be completed by June.