British police investigating the abuse scandal surrounding the late BBC star Jimmy Savile made another arrest on Thursday as they disclosed that the number of potential victims had climbed to 450.
A man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences and was being questioned but police said allegations against him do not directly involve Savile.
London’s Metropolitan Police are leading a national investigation into hundreds of abuse allegations made against Savile, one of the highest-profile BBC television presenters of the 1970s and 1980s.
The number of potential victims has risen to 450 from a figure of 300 that police gave last month.
The vast majority of allegations have been made against Savile, who died last year at the age of 84.
Police are looking at three strands in their inquiry — claims against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others.
Most of the allegations made against people described as “others” by police have been made against figures working in the entertainment industry.
So far former glam rock star and convicted paedophile Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and a 73-year-old man have been arrested and bailed in connection with the investigation.
The decision by the BBC’s flagship current affairs TV show Newsnight not to air a report alleging that Savile had preyed on girls put the world’s largest broadcaster under intense scrutiny.
In the wake of the furore, Newsnight wrongly implicated senior British politician Lord Alistair McAlpine in the sexual abuse of children at a care home in north Wales in the 1970s.
BBC director-general George Entwistle resigned on Saturday over the McAlpine report, after being under pressure for weeks over the Savile furore.
The BBC said it hoped to reach a settlement with McAlpine later Thursday.
Arrest in Savile probe as potential victims hit 450
