Max Clifford, one of the best known publicists in Britain, has been arrested by officers investigating sexual abuse claims against Jimmy Savile and others.
The London Metropolitan police said yesterday morning that officers working on Operation Yewtree arrested “a man in his 60s” at his Surrey home at 7.04am “on suspicion of sexual offences”. Mr Clifford (69) was the man in question. He was taken to a central London police station for questioning.
He is the fifth person to be arrested since the investigation was launched following revelations that Savile had abused underage girls both at the BBC and several hospitals.
Clifford’s lawyer, Charlotte Harris, said: “Max Clifford is being interviewed by police. He will assist police as best he can with their inquiries. When we are in a position to provide further information we will.”
Scotland Yard said: “The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed ‘others’.” There are three strands to Operation Yewtree: “Savile”, “Savile and others” and “others”. “Savile and others” relates to alleged offences in which the former TV show was suspected of being involved; “others” relates to allegations being investigated by Operation Yewtree but which do not involve Savile.
– (Guardian service)