The Mirror has obtained secret documents which led to the BBC sacking DJ Tony Blackburn.
The veteran DJ, 73, was grilled by BBC bosses over claims he “seduced” a teenager dancer who later killed herself, the papers reveal.
But the sacked star last night continued to insist the interviews never took place, despite documents to the contrary.
In one of the 1971 papers obtained by the Mirror, the BBC’s Assistant Head of Variety Tony Preston, told Assistant Solicitor George Derrick he and Head of Light Entertainment Bill Cotton had spoken to Mr Blackburn over the allegations made by 15-year-old Claire McAlpine.
He wrote: “As we expected, he has issued a flat denial. For my part, I must accept the situation, although I would be less than fair if I were not to record that his [Blackburn’s] recollection does not agree with the first thoughts of his agent.”
Preston, Derrick and Cotton have all since passed away.
Another note states: “Enquiries were duly made and two senior officials of the BBC interviewed the disc jockey concerned. The disc jockey denied categorically the allegation made.”
The papers also reveal Mr Blackburn was interviewed again by Brian Neill QC between 1971 and 1972 as part of an inquiry into a string of scandals at Top of the Pops, where Claire was a dancer.
The lawyer noted the DJ “told me that the girl had come to see him on several occasions and had invented stories for the purpose of getting access to him”.
He added: “He said she seemed to him in a sort of fantasy world but that she had not made any sexual advances.”
The documents emerged as further evidence pointed to a cover-up involving the BBC, the police and the judicial system over Claire’s alleged abuse.
Mr Blackburn was fired by Director-General Lord Hall this week, after a 49-year career with the BBC, over “inconsistent” evidence he gave to the Dame Janet Smith review. He continues to insist he was not quizzed by the two Beeb bosses.
The veteran broadcaster, who has lost BBC contracts worth £200,000 a year, said last night: “I repeat what I told Dame Janet when I voluntarily gave evidence to assist her and the BBC.
“What I said in my earlier statement regarding the alleged meetings with Brian Neill QC and Bill Cotton 45 years ago still stands.
"Given Dame Janet Smith’s concerns of a culture of fear in coming forward at the BBC, the fact that I have been scapegoated for giving my honest account and best recollections of those events 45 years ago, which I felt was a whitewash, what whistleblower at the BBC would ever come forward when they see the way they have hung me out to dry?
"Sadly, today’s news agenda should have been about the survivors of abuse carried out within the BBC but, by sacking me, they have managed to take the focus off those who have suffered so much.
“My lawyers are now considering all statements made by the BBC about me today and we will be taking action.” He later said through his solicitor that the review “might well prefer the documentary evidence to his recollection”.
Dame Janet said: “I do prefer that evidence and think that [Mr Blackburn] was interviewed and denied the allegation.
“I have not attempted to make any judgment about the allegation involving [Mr Blackburn] and Claire McAlpine. The question does not fall within my terms of reference.”
One of the memos records a complaint by Claire’s mum Vera who wanted the BBC chairman to know her daughter had been “seduced” by Mr Blackburn. Dame Janet was highly critical of the BBC’s investigation into the death and found evidence of a cover-up.
She found BBC bosses “prejudged” the investigation and the first reaction was to “take no further action” despite an allegation of criminal conduct.
Her report also revealed Mr Blackburn was only quizzed because BBC lawyers said they were “duty bound” to do so. No efforts were made to interview Claire, who died of an overdose at her home in Watford, Herts, in 1971 or to talk to Vera.
It also found investigators did not ask to see Claire’s diary which contained the allegations.
Lord Hall says it was "untenable" for BBC to continue working with Tony Blackburn
The review revealed a note suggesting bosses were aware of police efforts to stop the coroner at her inquest from calling Mr Blackburn to give evidence.
A BBC solicitor who attended the hearing said the claims the teenager had been “seduced” by the DJ was not mentioned.
BBC Director-General Lord Hall said Mr Blackburn was fired because his evidence to the inquiry “fell short” of the standards demanded.
He added: “As Dame Janet says, she has rejected his evidence and she has explained very clearly why.
“I am making no judgment or accusations about events or behaviours that happened in the past, but simply about what he has done now and what he was doing in front of this inquiry.”
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