Boris Johnson has refused to apologise for a “conspiracy theory” Jimmy Savile jibe he made in Parliament.
Savile victims, Tory MPs and the Commons speaker have urged the Prime Minister to withdraw his accusation that Sir Keir Starmer was to blame for failing to bring the notorious sex offender to justice when he led the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
At PMQs on Wednesday, the Labour leader said Mr Johnson was “parroting conspiracy theories of violent fascists to try and score cheap political points”.
“He knows exactly what he is doing,” he added. “It’s time to restore some dignity.”
Mr Johnson doubled down on the claims and replied: “I don’t want to make heavy weather of this but I am informed that in 2013 The Right Honourable gentleman apologised and took full responsibility for what had happened on his watch and I think that was the right thing to do .”
Earlier this week Mr Johnson accused Sir Keir of using his time at the CPS “prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile” when he was director of prosecutions.
Sir Keir was head of the CPS when the decision not to prosecute Savile was made on the grounds of “insufficient evidence”.
An investigation criticised the actions of both the CPS and the police in their handling of the investigation, but did not suggest that Sir Keir was involved in the decisions made, according to fact checking charity Full Fact .
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said the Prime Minister’s comment was inappropriate.
The Commons Speaker added that said he could not reprimand Mr Johnson as it did not breach parliamentary rules.
However, he told MPs: "I am far from satisfied that the comments in question were appropriate on this occasion.
"I want to see more compassionate, reasonable politics in this House and that sort of comment can only inflame opinions and generate disregard."
Tory MPs have also said the comments should not have been made.
Chairman of the Northern Ireland Select Committee Simon Hoare said on Wednesday that “the Jimmy Saville false allegation should be withdrawn”, while Tory MP Sir Bob Neill added the suggestion was “baseless and unworthy”.
Former cabinet minister Julian Smith has also said it was an indefensible accusation.
However Michael Gove said the Prime Minister should not have to apologise for making the discredited claim.
When asked if the PM should say sorry, the Levelling Up Secretary replied: “No.”
He told Sky News: “It’s not a subject that I want to dwell on because it is uniquely sensitive.
“It is the case that the CPS apologised for the handling of this case and what happened in 2009 and I think we should acknowledge that an apology was given and respect that.”
