Jimmy Savile escaped justice because of libel laws, claims reporter

The Sun tried to expose paedophile but had to back down over fears of costly libel case, investigative journalist says

• Outrageous libel laws protected Jimmy Savile. At last, change is on the cards

The Sun attempted to expose Jimmy Savile as a paedophile while he was still alive - only to have to back down because of Britain's tough libel laws, according to one of the journalists who investigated the case.

Meirion Jones said the tabloid was ready to publish the story in 2008, which could have brought the entertainer to justice while he was still alive. The newspaper's reporters had signed affidavits from women who had been abused as children by Savile at the notorious Haut de la Garenne children's home in Jersey.