BBC warned it could face a full public inquiry, as Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal rumbles on

THE BBC could face a full public inquiry into the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal if its own investigations fail to “get to the bottom” of the accusations, Culture Secretary Maria Miller has warned.

The BBC has launched an inquiry into the culture and practices at the corporation in the era of the late TV and radio presenter’s alleged sexual abuse. It is also investigating the decision-making process that saw a Newsnight investigation into the Jim’ll Fix It star’s activities shelved.

Speaking about the double investigation, Mrs Miller said: “The real challenge for the BBC is to make sure that the outcome of these reviews really gets to the bottom of these accusations.

“If the investigations are considered not to suffice because of issues around transparency, process or other such things, then a public inquiry remains an option.”

Meanwhile, Savile’s cottage in Glen Coe has been boarded up following attacks. Graffiti was daubed on the walls of the cottage, Allt na Reigh, which Savile bought in the 1990s, windows were smashed and an outbuilding was broken into a week ago. Over the past weekend, the windows were boarded up and the walls whitewashed to cover the graffiti.

Keith Ballantyne, owner of Lorn & Isle Tours, said: “It’s a shame, because it’s a nice house in a nice space.

“It may be if the house suffers further attacks it has to come down. Feelings are quite strong around there. I would rather see the house put to use, but it is part of his estate, which has been frozen.”

Savile’s estate, valued at 
£4.3 million, has been frozen by his executor, NatWest.

Inspector Donald Campbell of Fort William police, said: “The windows were boarded up as a secure measure to avoid further damage.”