No doctor should be untouchable

Allegations that Jimmy Savile sexually abused children and vulnerable hospital patients surfaced after his death, when he was no longer protected by the English defamation laws. These laws were designed to protect the wealthy and famous from allegations by poorer citizens by making it difficult and expensive to defend a defamation claim, even if you are telling the truth. Should we blame the cover-up entirely on the libel laws?

There were those in authority at the BBC (where Savile had star status), in hospitals where he had unprecedented access, and in the criminal justice system who had heard reports of his misconduct but failed to act. Victims were told that their testimony would count for little compared with the word of the television star and charity fundraiser. Savile was valuable to the organisations and his victims were not. Savile himself bragged that he was untouchable. Other organisations that have covered up misconduct include the Catholic church over child abuse by …