Jimmy Savile stripped of Scarborough honours

Savile's name was removed from the honour board last November

Disgraced broadcaster Jimmy Savile has been formally stripped of honours granted by a North Yorkshire council.

Councillors in Scarborough have voted to remove Savile's freedom of the borough and confirmed he would not be considered for future memorials.

Savile, who is buried in the resort, had been granted the honour in 2005.

Allegations made since his 2011 death have led police to believe he sexually abused hundreds of young people over five decades.

The council's decision comes as the BBC published transcripts from an inquiry into the decision by Newsnight to drop its probe into sexual abuse by Savile.

Sign removed

The leader of Scarborough's Conservative-controlled council, Tom Fox, proposed the motion which was passed unanimously.

The motion also praised the courage of those who had come forward to report abuse since Savile's death.

The freedom was granted to mark Savile's links with the North Yorkshire resort where he owned a home.

His name was removed from the honour board last November pending the results of the Metropolitan Police investigation into the sex abuse allegations.

That decision came less than a month after his gravestone was removed from Woodlands Cemetery in Scarborough at the request of Savile's family.

The council has also removed a footpath sign that also commemorated the broadcaster.

Scarborough has granted freeman status to 20 individuals and groups since 1974, including playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, boxer Paul Ingle and the Yorkshire Regiment.