BBC bosses unaware of star’s sex crimes, but culture flawed – report

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bbc-bosses-unaware-stars-sex-crimes-culture-flawed-100519222.html
BBC bosses unaware of star’s sex crimes, but culture flawed – report

Reports were made by staff, but these were never escalated due to a culture of “not complaining about anything”. Employees were reluctant to say anything to management which might “rock the boat”, for fear it might damage career prospects or even lead to dismissal.

When one employee said Savile had put his hand up her skirt, she was told “keep your mouth shut, he’s a VIP”, the report said.

“Celebrities were treated with kid gloves and were virtually untouchable,” Smith told reporters.

Savile, a one-time wrestler with trademark long blonde hair, a love of cigars and a penchant for garish outfits and jewellery, started out as a pioneering DJ in the 1960s and went on to host some of the BBC’s biggest prime time TV shows.

Smith found that 117 witnesses had heard rumours about Savile’s sexual conduct but there was no evidence that the BBC, as a corporate body, was aware.