The true story behind Boris' Jimmy Savile jibes at Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has spoken out against Boris Johnson's "untrue slur" alleging his failure to "prosecute Jimmy Savile" in the House of Commons on Monday.

As the Prime Minister battled to defend himself from the partygate row, Mr Johnson hit back against Sir Keir and said he “used his time prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile”.

Sir Keir was director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, but is not thought to have been involved in decisions relating to sexual offence allegations against disgraced entertainer Savile.

The Full Fact website found, in 2020, it had never actually been suggested that Starmer was personally involved in the decision.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “The reviewing lawyer at the time set out their own reasons for the decisions they took”.

The Labour party leader described the claim as a “ridiculous slur peddled by right-wing trolls” and claimed Mr Johnson had “debased” himself by saying it.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has defended Boris Johnson and his discredited claim that Sir Keir Starmer failed to prosecute Jimmy Savile, calling the allegation part of the “cut and thrust” of parliamentary proceeding.

The Cabinet minister refused to repeat the allegation levelled at the Labour leader by Mr Johnson.

Tory former Cabinet minister Julian Smith said the Prime Minister should withdraw the “false and baseless” smear.