LABOUR leader Ed Miliband has called for the Government to set up an independent inquiry into the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal, saying BBC investigations were not enough.
The Mexborough MP said an independent inquiry was needed to “do right by the victims” – though Culture Secretary Maria Miller had already dismissed calls for an outside investigation.
Mr Miliband said: “These are horrific allegations. In order to do right by the victims I don’t think the BBC can lead their own inquiry.
“We need a broad look at all the public institutions involved – the BBC, parts of the NHS and Broadmoor. This has got to be independent.”
Labour wants an independent inquiry to have power to demand documentation and witnesses. It should look into Savile’s activities at the BBC, Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Broadmoor, the high-security psychiatric hospital, the party said.
“I think we now have enough sets of allegations and further allegations to know this is not some isolated set of incidents,” Mr Miliband added.
“This seems to be a pattern of activity which spanned a number of institutions. As I say, I just think about the victims in this. This is absolutely horrific and will scar people for life. And I think for them, the BBC – good institution though it is – I don’t think they can lead their own inquiry.”
Ms Miller had earlier dismissed demands for an independent inquiry. She told the Commons that the allegations had “wide-ranging implications for a number of public institutions” but rejected calls for an outside inquiry, warning it could hamper police investigations.
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