Lawyer of Jimmy Savile victims attacks PM for 'troubling smear' in Commons

1 February 2022, 18:26 | Updated: 2 February 2022, 16:21

Representative of Savile victims hits out at PM

By Seán Hickey

Victims of Jimmy Savile told this lawyer that Boris Johnson's decision to use their suffering to 'get out of a political hole' was 'grubby and reprehensible'.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Prime Minister has come under fire for attacking Sir Keir Starmer's "failure to prosecute" Jimmy Savile during his time as Director for Public Prosecutions.

Head of the Abuse team at Slater & Gordon Richard Scorer joined Eddie Mair to share how the untrue comments have affected victims of Savile, whom he has represented.

Read more: 'How dare he?': Jimmy Savile victim tells LBC she was furious over Boris remarks

"They thought it was grubby and reprehensible that the Prime Minister has used their suffering to get out of a political hole", he told LBC, adding that victims he has spoken to have been "appalled by the weaponisation of their case."

Mr Scorer went on to note that "this allegation is simply not true" as Sir Keir "was not the decision-maker" in the investigation into Jimmy Savile.

Read more: James O'Brien: Boris Johnson's Savile slur has no place in our democracy

House Speaker rebukes PM after Savile jibe at Starmer

'It's a smear I think that originated in some obscure corner of the internet that then circulated and he's then tried use it for his own political purposes."

Eddie noted that the obscure corners of the internet are one thing, but "the dispatch box at the House of Commons ought to be another."

"It feels very troubling that a Prime Minister would be doing this sort of Trumpian tactic" the lawyer went on, admitting he is "very concerned" about the PM's move.

"Prime Ministers do have a duty to tell the truth", he concluded.

More Eddie Mair

Eddie Mair's heated row with Sir Iain Duncan-Smith on cost of living measures

Eddie Mair's heated row with Sir Iain Duncan Smith on cost of living measures

Where to seek help if you're impacted by the cost of living crisis

Where to seek help if you're impacted by the cost of living crisis

Eddie Mair scrutinises Tory MP who backs Liz Truss over her stance 'on woke'

Eddie Mair scrutinises Tory MP who backs Liz Truss over her stance 'on woke'

Furious caller clashes with climate scientists over 'pointless' net-zero targets

Furious caller clashes with climate scientists over 'pointless' net zero targets

Eddie Mair lists Ministers with the power to oust Boris Johnson

Eddie Mair lists Ministers with the power to oust Boris Johnson

'Horrific': LBC listeners reveal chilling experiences of stalking

'Horrific': LBC listeners reveal chilling experiences of stalking

'Scotland is inept': Scottish caller furious over idea of IndyRef 2

'Scotland is inept': Scottish caller outraged at idea of IndyRef 2

Texas Republican: Ensuring doors work properly will stop school shootings

Texas Republican: Ensuring doors work properly will stop school shootings

'You don't need a crystal ball!': Furious Eddie Mair corners Tory MP on cost of living crisis

'You don't need a crystal ball!': Furious Eddie Mair corners Tory MP on cost of living crisis

Exclusive
Kremlin chaos: Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws regime in disarray

Putin 'constantly surrounded by doctors' as illness throws Kremlin into chaos

Tory MP: 'Oil companies have a cartel monopoly' over consumers

Tory MP: 'Oil companies have a cartel monopoly' over consumers

Jack Monroe slams Tory MP's 'abhorrent' food bank comments

Jack Monroe slams Tory MP's 'abhorrent' food bank comments

Tory MP accuses peer of 'hyperbole' over anti-protest bill concerns

Tory MP accuses peer of 'hyperbole' over anti-protest bill concerns

'Prime Minister in waiting!' Starmer saluted after Covid fine resignation pledge

'Prime Minister in waiting!' Starmer saluted after Covid fine resignation pledge

From Covid infection to being fined: Eddie Mair's painstaking timeline on partygate and Boris

From Covid infection to the fine: Eddie Mair's painstaking timeline on partygate and Boris

Partygate fines: Eddie Mair grills Tory MP Sir Roger Gale over PM future

Partygate fines: Eddie Mair grills Tory MP over PM's future