British Police Arrest Radio Host in Jimmy Savile Sexual Abuse Probe

LONDON -- A fourth man has been arrested on suspicion of sexual offenses by police investigating hundreds of claims of abuse by late former BBC host Jimmy Savile.

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London police told media Thursday that a man in his 60s has been taken into police custody as part of what is known as Operation Yewtree.

Media reports later identified the man as Dave Lee Travis, a popular British radio host in the 1970s and 1980s.

He became one of BBC Radio One's established hosts and got the nickname "Hairy Cornflake." He also presented editions of Top of the Pops between 1974 and 1984, but left the BBC by resigning live on air in protest against changes being made to Radio One. Since then he has worked for a number of commercial radio stations.

Yewtree is the name given by the police to the investigation following the allegations leveled at the former BBC stalwart, who used to host musical charts show Top of the Pops. The police are looking at alleged abuse by Savile, Savile with others and others on their own.

The ever-gorwing volume of allegations against Savile has already seen a trio of arrests including former pop star Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and an unnamed man in his 70s to date.

All three have subsequently been bailed.

The police told Channel 4 News that Thursday's arrest falls into the third cateogry of Yewtree, meaning allegations against others on their own.

Police said that 450 victims have come forward so far, and that 200 allegations of sexual assault have been recorded.

The London Metropolitan Police, also known as Scotland Yard, is still in the process of trying to contact all potential victims. The broader Savile scandal is one of the cornerstones of the problems buffeting and rocking the BBC and its leadership.

The broadcaster has been criticized for ignoring signs of Savile's behavior in the past and not launching a broad investigation earlier.

It has led to two internal probes at the public broadcaster and played a key part in the shock departure of BBC director general George Entwistle late Saturday after just 54 days in the job.