Sacked Blackburn Backed By Other Radio Bosses

Fired BBC DJ Tony Blackburn has received the backing of other radio employers - after describing the sacking as "scandalous".

The veteran broadcaster was fired because his evidence to the Jimmy Savile sex abuse inquiry "fell short" of the standards demanded, according to BBC Director General Tony Hall.

The 73-year-old is taking legal action against the corporation.

He released a statement on Friday accusing the BBC of making him a "scapegoat".

Dame Janet Smith, who wrote the report into the Savile abuse, said that Blackburn was included as a witness because of claims he "seduced" 15-year-old Claire McAlpine.

Lord Hall, Dame Janet Smith & Rona Fairhead

The claims suggested he invited the teenager back to his flat following a recording of Top Of The Pops in 1971.

The youngster later killed herself.

Blackburn disagreed with BBC evidence that he had been interviewed about the teenager.

But Dame Janet, in her inquiry report, said she "preferred" the BBC's version of events, despite his denial.

Director-general Lord Tony Hall later revealed Blackburn had been sacked.

Blackburn pointed out that the complaint was withdrawn, and Dame Janet's report made no suggestion that he was guilty of misconduct with the teenager.

Nor did a coroner's inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death after she took her own life.

In a statement on Friday, he said: "Material from so-called 'secret BBC memos' from 1971 and 1972 has been published today as part of an attempt by the BBC to 'prove' that I was interviewed about the Claire McAlpine allegations 45 years ago.

Jimmy Savile (L) and Canon Colin Semper

"In fact there is no secret at all about these documents.

"I was made aware of them in 2012 and, again, when I voluntarily gave evidence to Dame Janet Smith's enquiry.

"The evidence which I gave her was with the full knowledge of their existence and contents.

"Scandalously, the BBC has placed me in the ridiculous position of being sacked for telling the truth about an investigation which it failed to carry out properly, if at all, into a complaint made against me 45 years ago - a complaint which was totally without any basis in truth.

"In linking my dismissal to the Dame Janet Smith Report the BBC has, as well as taking away the livelihood I loved, caused my good name to be tarnished."

Commercial radio employers have rallied to show support for the DJ. 

KMFM presenter Rob Wills said there was no question about Blackburn leaving the station.

He said: "I have spoken to Tony quite a lot in the last 48 hours. He's clearly devastated. He's angry as much as the rest of us are.

File photo of Jimmy Savile

"We have loads of reaction, all of it positive, even people outside of our listening area area have been very supportive of keeping Tony on air, saying they are going to be listening at the weekend."

A spokesman for Bauer’s Greatest Hits Network, where Blackburn also presents, said: "Tony Blackburn is currently on pre-booked leave - on his return, he will continue to broadcast his radio show on the Greatest Hits Network."

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