Q: Police in the United Kingdom are investigating Sir Jimmy Savile on allegations of child sex abuse. What did Savile do to be knighted? If these allegations are proved to be true, can his knighthood be revoked? — Michelle Hutchinson, Marietta
A: Savile, who died at age 84 in October 2011, was a popular disc jockey and TV host and presenter from the 1940s through the early 2000s. He was knighted for his contributions to charity throughout his career. He raised more than 40 million pounds ($64.3 million), according to his obituary in The Daily Telegraph, often working with hospitals and the disabled. He was the honorary president of PHAB (Physically Handicapped in the Able Bodied community) from 1974 to 1988 and sponsored medical students at Leeds University. Savile was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1971 and as a Knight Bachelor in 1996, according to the BBC. He also received a papal knighthood later that year. The BBC reported last month that the government's Honours Forfeiture Committee could strip Savile of his knighthood if he's "judged to have brought the honours system into disrepute." There is precedent for having a knighthood stripped while living, but there are "no legal arrangements in place to remove honours posthumously," the BBC reported, because a knighthood expires when a person dies. Scotland Yard is investigating "400 lines of inquiry," and more than 200 of Savile's potential victims have been identified, dating to 1959.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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