A MAN in his 70s who was arrested in Shortlands yesterday in connection with the Jimmy Savile inquiry has "vehemently denied" the allegations.

Ted Beston, 76, a former producer of Savile’s radio shows in the 60s and 70s, was apprehended at his home early yesterday morning (Dec 19), taken to a south London police station and later bailed until February.

A Met Police statement released yesterday at around 6pm said: “A man arrested earlier today (Dec 19) in connection with Operation Yewtree has this afternoon left police premises. He has been bailed to return on a date in February 2013.”

Officers working on Operation Yewtree are investigating allegations of sexual abuse by deceased former BBC star Savile and others.

In a statement released through his lawyers, Beston said he was shocked by the allegations.

The statement, released by Ewings and Co Solicitors, said:"What emerged in October 2012 was a side of Savile that Mr Beston never knew."

"Yesterday, Ted Beston, the former Radio 1 producer, was arrested by officers from Operation Yewtree. Mr Beston was not charged. Mr Beston vehemently denies the historic allegations put to him by the police.

"When the Savile story surfaced in October, Mr Beston made clear then that he was shocked by the allegations. For the time being, Mr Beston will be saying nothing further and we request that Mr Beston, who is now 76, be allowed to deal with these false claims without undue intrusion."

Beston, who was arrested under the strand of the investigation termed "Savile and others", became the eighth person to be arrested in the inquiry. Other high-profile names include former pop star Gary Glitter, comedian Freddie Starr and publicist Max Clifford.

Last week, police said they had recorded 199 crimes in 17 force areas in which Savile is a suspect, with 31 allegations of rape recorded against him in seven force areas.