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Bracknell MP Dr Phillip Lee wants an inquiry into Sir Jimmy Savile's role at Broadmoor Hospital
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MP Dr Phillip Lee calls for Broadmoor inquiry into 'weirdo' Savile

By Becky Barnes
October 18, 2012

Bracknell MP Phillip Lee branded Sir Jimmy Savile ‘a weirdo’ and called for Broadmoor Hospital to launch an internal inquiry after claims he abused patients.

It has emerged Sir Jimmy held keys to the hospital, in Kentigern Drive, Crowthorne, during his many years as a volunteer there.

The Jim’ll Fix It host, who also had a flat in the grounds, used his unlimited access on the wards to recruit girls for ‘lasses only’ parties where he could meet unsuspecting victims away from staff, it has been claimed.

Dr Lee encountered Sir Jimmy while training at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where it’s alleged it was an ‘open secret’ the TV star abused patients during his visits.

Dr Lee said: “I saw him a few times looking rather weird with his multi-coloured shell suit and gold medallion.

“He was a peculiar-looking chap – a weirdo. I didn’t warm to him – I remember him calling me ‘guvnor’ when he walked past me.

“I have no recollection of people talking at Stoke Mandeville about him interfering with patients as I would have reported it immediately.”

Dr Lee wants to discover why Sir Jimmy had access to Broadmoor’s high security wards and has written to West London Mental Health Trust (WLMHT), which now runs the hospital, to ask what systems are in place to ensure it never happens again.

He said: “If the allegations are proven to be true, which judging by the number of them, is likely, then it is appalling it could have happened over a protracted period of time.

“That it alledgedly happened in state organisations such as the BBC, hospitals and schools then there are lots of questions to be asked.”

A former Broadmoor employee, who knew Savile but asked not to be named, said: “He had access to all areas. He went where he wanted and spoke to whoever he wanted to. He spoke to all the patients. He would just walk up and have a chat. He was always there.”

The allegations add pressure on the Department of Health’s probe into how Savile was appointed to a leading role at the high security psychiatric hospital.

Dr Lee added: “It is pretty shocking – we need to get to the bottom of how it happened and find the people responsible for making decisions.”

After taking over as Broadmoor’s task force chief, Savile organised for 60 patients to be released to less secure facilities or other NHS hospitals, claiming they had been cured.

Wokingham MP John Redwood said: “If it is not the case that there was a proper professional who approved this and Jimmy Savile had too much influence over this decision, that is an absolute scandal.

“That was not a decision he should have been involved in or taken.”

Broadmoor’s involvement emerged after ex-patient Alison Pink, who is now a man called Steven after a sex change, waived her anonymity and claimed Sir Jimmy touched her inappropriately when she was just 17.

A WLMHT spokeswoman said: “We are assisting police with their inquiries into the allegations relating to Jimmy Savile.

“These allegations relate to a time when Broadmoor was a separate, somewhat isolated organisation, not part of a wider NHS Trust.

“The monitoring of patients and their interaction with both staff and volunteers is undertaken as a routine to ensure inappropriate behaviour does not happen.

“In today’s Broadmoor Hospital, volunteer access and activity is strictly controlled and monitored.

“Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) and character reference checks are carried out for everyone who we recruit to volunteer in the hospital.

“We operate within strict child and adult safeguarding guidelines and work closely with our local authority colleagues on this.”

Police at Scotland Yard confirmed they were probing 340 lines of inquiry regarding Savile, with as many as 60 potential victims since 1959.

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Nothing to do with Politics Winstanley - Just on your account of you getting satisfaction at your first attempt - Many people do not have that luxury, and are often at their wits end when they write to the MP.

Also The Sa vile thing is nothing to do with politics - Although you would make it so.

Olds Oak, Finchampstead
26/10/2012 at 18:28

"..people like you that have obviously had a sheltered life"

People like me? Like what exactly Old Oaks? Are you making generalisations based entirely, and solely, on my opposition to an MP? You know nothing.

Opposition is as much an integral part of our political system as having a ruling party (or parties) - it's what ensures we have representation and a general sense of fairness. Should we have a Labour MP I expect we'd be trading positions.

But to make such gross generalisations....

...and talking of a sheltered life. A bit rich coming from an over-puffed Tory windbag living in Finchampstead.

Pip pip!

Winstanley, Bracknell
26/10/2012 at 17:37

Which constituents have been identified as having suffered abuse at Broadmoor? Hard to say. I would guess that quite a number of workers from this area have written, putting their concerns to the MP. I am sorry Winstanley, but the world is much more complicated than you understand. People do not often get complaints heard at a first of second level, but have to resort to writing to the MP. For people like you that have obviously had a sheltered life. It must be very difficult to understand these things.

If there is any band wagon here, it the the MP (s) bashing one. I wonder what lengths some people will go to just to further their own agenda. e.g. Dids - Swearing at a policeman is rather naughty - Kiddy fiddling is NOT in the same league.

I am with both Lee and Redwood on this - We must see that the enqiry covers all aspects.

Olds Oak, Finchampstead
26/10/2012 at 00:33

Now you're just making things up. Who exactly is Lee representing? Which constituents have been identified as having suffered abuse at Broadmoor?

There's a criminal investigation and an NHS investigation into allegations relating to Savile and Broadmoor - they are the people I expect to represent the victims.

I have been in hospital and suffered abuse - guess what? I complained in the first instance to the hospital in question and had the matter resolved. Didn't think once to go to my MP as I saw no reason to see why, or what they could do.

Again - I'll say it very slowly - Lee put himself into this debate first. The vast majority of us who have commented believe it was a thinly veiled attempt at riding the coat tales of this whole terrible mess for the sake of cheap publicity.

Winstanley, Bracknell
25/10/2012 at 20:05

Winstanley (for one) you say "Surely he has more important issues he should be concentrating on for his constituents?"

You do realise that his constituency covers Broadmoor Hospital? I still think it is rather low of you people to take to your usual attacks on the MP in the context of Saville.

I am sure that if you had been in hospital, and subjected to abuse that you would expect the MP to make Representations on your behalf.

Crimson Dawn, Bracknell
25/10/2012 at 16:59

Red Mist - anyone can see that it was Lee that jumped on the bandwagon first. We're merely commenting on his decision to do so. Nobody's equated Lee with Savile and the allegations of abuse - maybe you could enlighten us how you seem to think they have?

Megaman (surely not the So Solid frontman?) - Maddie is right when she says that it's not the language we expect of an MP. Those that represent us are meant to do so by communicating in a measured and decorous fashion. The fact is I expect my MP to be a cut above your average punter, dedicated, polite, non judgmental. Not engaging in tittle tattle and gossip as a means to get more hot air in the press.

Surely he has more important issues he should be concentrating on for his constituents?

Winstanley, Bracknell
25/10/2012 at 16:11

I'm going to stick up for the good Dr here.

Many people complain about politicians being disengaged from the public and here, he uses a fair and accurate word to describe a man who was undoubtedly a "weirdo."

Being a combination of a doctor and an MP could lead to him talking exclusively in jargon, but he uses fairly normal language here and all of a sudden it's "not the language I'd expect of an MP".

It's a word a normal person would use and that's what MPs are accused of not being.

Megaman
23/10/2012 at 16:32

NE "He slates Jimmy Saville yet has his flat in London which we pay for!!"

Are you trying to stoop so low in your hatred for the MP that you try to equate him with the doings of Saville?

Just as well Dr Dollitle could talk to the animals - he needs to be able to.

Crimson Dawn, Bracknell
22/10/2012 at 15:38

Winstanley's link is enlightening. Our glorious MP has the effrontery to say "The fallout from the expenses scandal and other similar disappointments" I refer to my comment below, this "man" is as guilty as the rest of them.

Lee, Dr Who, Dr Doolitlle unless it is for himself!! He is a self-serving a2$e and needs to be shown the door at thenext election - He is a deluded muppet.

I would suggest we show the rest of the Tories the door too in Bracknell

Neal Evans, Forest Park
19/10/2012 at 20:32

It's all about celebrity and being well known. It's still happening today. Look at how our politicians get away with things such as swearing at the police then lying about it, and fiddling expenses.

Dids, Bracknell
19/10/2012 at 14:17

It's still happening. It's about celebrity. If you're famous or rich or an MP, you can get away with far more than the man on the street.

Dids, Bracknell
19/10/2012 at 14:17

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/oct/07/be-straight-with-the-voters

Interesting article in a leftie paper from Phillip.....

Let's really hope he's not doing a MacKay!

Winstanley, Bracknell
19/10/2012 at 11:46

Spot on Maddie Vaga - Savile was clearly eccentric or at least his public image was. What he was really like in private we are only just beginning to discover. Let the investigation run its course and hate him after. Anything else is pre-judgmental.

I must say though, with the enormous body of evidence that seems to be building against him, it’s not looking good for the old perv

badger44, Farley Hill
19/10/2012 at 08:57

Ah my dear old friend Dr Who, Dolittle, Lee. He slates Jimmy Saville yet has his flat in London which we pay for!! Let’s do the maths again:

Phillip Lee – Bracknell -Expenses 2010/11 £39,449.37 2011/12 £29,890.00 Total £69,339.37

Out of this there is a regular claim of £1,690 in rent for his London flat. What justification DOCTO LEE?

I agree with Maddie. This, and for the benefit of my Tory friend’s and especially dear old John Mason, Chairman, this a7$e of a man Lee is trying to detract yet again.

Saville may have or may not have done wrong, it is down to the inquiries to say. As for Lee? Well a more worthless individual cannot ever have been selected or been voted for, to be MP for Bracknell.

Neal Evans, Forest Park
18/10/2012 at 20:34

I agree with all posts too, and although I have nothing new to say I will add that Dr Who should watch what he says and start answering the questions that keep on being asked about him!

What is it with the flat Phil?

A convenient hidey hole for you to do things perhaps?