Celebrity publicist Max Clifford was arrested Thursday by police investigating sex abuse allegations sparked by a scandal involving a now-deceased TV host , British media reports said . Surrounded by media as he left Belgravia Police Station later that night , Clifford said the claims against him are `` very damaging '' while insisting they are `` totally untrue . '' `` These allegations ... are very distressing for myself , my family and my kids , '' said the publicist , who did n't elaborate on the accusations except to say they dated from 1977 . Opinion : BBC in crisis -- What have we learned ? `` Anyone who really knew me those years ago and those who have known me since will have no doubt that I would never act in the way I have today been accused . '' His lawyer earlier confirmed that Clifford -- who is famous in Britain for representing celebrities and members of the public willing to sell kiss-and-tell stories -- was questioned by police but did not say what it regarded . `` Max Clifford is being interviewed by police . Mr. Clifford will assist the police as best he can with their inquiries , '' said lawyer Charlotte Harris , from the Mishcon de Reya law firm . London 's Metropolitan Police said a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of sexual offenses Thursday morning in Surrey , outside London , in connection with the inquiry involving late television personality Jimmy Savile . Those arrested under British law can be held in a cell and questioned , after which they may be released or charged with a crime . Read more : TV icon sex-abuse scandal rocks the BBC . But the force declined to name the suspect , in line with policy . The police set up Operation Yewtree to investigate a flood of sex abuse allegations made against Savile and others following a documentary run by broadcaster ITV in October , in which several victims came forward . Read more : Jimmy Savile : National treasure in life , reviled 'sex abuser ' in death . The investigation has three strands , one involving claims against just Savile , another involving `` Savile and others , '' and the third involving only `` others . '' A police statement said Thursday 's arrest fell under the category of `` others . '' Police believe Savile , who died last October at age 84 , sexually abused as many as 300 young women and girls in past decades . Savile , who hosted popular BBC children 's TV programs including `` Jim 'll Fix It '' and `` Top of the Pops , '' was a household name in Britain for decades . He was also well-known for his philanthropy , having raised millions of pounds for charity , and was awarded a knighthood . Savile 's targets were apparently mostly girls in their mid-teens in what authorities have described as alleged abuse on an unprecedented scale , some of it conducted on BBC premises .
Max Hastings says the allegations are ` ` very damaging '' and ` ` totally untrue '' The publicist did n't detail the allegations , except to say they dated from 1977 . ' Police say a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault . A major police investigation was sparked by a scandal involving late TV presenter Jimmy Savile .