Tony Blackburn sacked by the BBC

THE BBC has sacked DJ Tony Blackburn after a dispute relating to evidence given at a Jimmy Savile enquiry. 

Blackburn was cleared of any personal involvement last year when allegations he seduced a 15 year old girl in the 1970´s were dropped. However the ending of his contract relates to this investigation. 

The girl in question, who made the claims in 1971, withdrew them quickly. Later that year she took her own life. 

The disagreement comes from Blackburn´s version of events as opposed to a differing version maintained by the BBC.  

Blackburn upholds he was never interviewed by senior BBC executive Bill Cotton, during the Dame Janet Investigation, whereas the BBC state that he was. The disagreement has resulted in his dismissal. 

The BBC informed the presenter that ´all relationships with them were being terminated with immediate effect´. 

Mr Blackburn upholds that the Dame Janet’s report into Savile and the BBC make no allegation he was guilty of misconduct with the girl, nor did a coroner’s inquest or the later police inquiry.

He said in a recent statement: “They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs.”

“Sadly what is happening to me now seems entirely in keeping with the past BBC culture of whitewash and cover up.”

The BBC are yet to remove Blackburn´s schedule on Radio 2 and BBC Radio Berkshire. 

In 2011, a year after the death of Savile, allegations started emerging and evolved into a huge body of proof, that Savile was one of the UK´s most dangerous and prolific sexual predators, using his position to seduce and lure young girls. 

The Dame Janet investigation was set up to look into dozens of sexual assaults by Savile and heard evidence from at least 700 people.