Church considers removing Jimmy Savile knighthood

The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has reportedly asked the Vatican if Jimmy Savile can be stripped of his papal knighthood posthumously.

The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols has made the request to Vatican officials after hundreds of people came forward to say they had been abused by the late TV star.

Savile was made a Knight Commander of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II. He received the honour in 1990 in recognition of his charity work.

According to the BBC, the Archbishop has asked officials in Rome to investigate the possibility of removing the honour from Savile.

The request recognises the "deep distress" caused to his victims and the "disquiet" over Savile's name remaining on the Papal Honours list, a spokesperson told the broadcaster.

Allegations of abuse continue to be made after ITV broadcast an investigation into claims against Savile by several women.

Investigating police say they are following 400 lines of inquiry and that there may be as many as 300 victims.