Jimmy Savile statue removed from Glasgow children’s swimming pool

A STATUE of Sir Jimmy Savile has been taken away from its position near a Glasgow children’s swimming pool as police investigate allegations of child abuse involving the DJ and presenter.

A life-sized wooden carving of Savile has sat at Scotstoun Leisure Centre in Glasgow since the mid-1990s.

It was put there in honour of the charity campaigner’s participation in fun runs, marathons and charity dinners in the city.

However claims Savile sexually abused a string of teenage girls at the height of his fame, to be broadcast in an ITV documentary tonight, have prompted the council-owned trust which runs Glasgow’s leisure centres to remove it from public view, over fears it could offend parents using the pool with their children.

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “Given the current controversy and the seriousness of the allegations, we thought it appropriate to move the statue at this time.”

Despite sitting next to the children’s pool at Scotstoun since around 1995 the figure’s existence was not well known to the public.

It was recognisable when first installed by the large cigar it was holding, which was stolen more than a decade ago and most pool users are oblivious to who the statue represents.

Meanwhile, the BBC has said it will assist police with child abuse allegations involving Savile.

A spokesman for the BBC said: “A number of serious and disturbing allegations have been made over the past few days about the sexual abuse of teenage girls by Jimmy Savile.

“Some of these allegations relate to activity on BBC premises in the 1960s and 70s. We are horrified by allegations that anything of this sort could have happened at the BBC - or have been carried out by anyone working for the BBC.

“We have today asked the BBC investigations unit to make direct contact with all the police forces in receipt of allegations and offer to help them investigate these matters and provide full support to any lines of inquiry they wish to pursue.”