BBC director-general George Entwistle yesterday offered a “profound and heartfelt apology” to the alleged victims of Sir Jimmy Savile’s sexual abuse as he announced that two inquiries would be launched.

One will look into whether there were any failings over the handling of an abandoned Newsnight investigation into the late DJ and broadcaster.

A second independent inquiry will look into the “culture and practices of the BBC during the years Jimmy Savile worked here”, Mr Entwistle said.

Of that, he said: “It will examine whether that culture and those practices allowed him or others to carry out the sexual abuse of children. It will also examine whether the BBC’s child protection, whistle-blowing and bullying and harassment policies and practices are now fit for purpose.”

Speaking at a press conference at New Broadcasting House in central London yesterday, Mr Entwistle said: “As the director-general of the BBC I have made clear my revulsion at the thought that these criminal assaults were carried out by someone employed by the BBC and that some may have happened on BBC premises as well as, we now discover, in hospitals and other institutions across the UK.

“I have one thing to repeat – that is a profound and heartfelt apology on behalf of the BBC to every victim.” (PA)