The deputy leader of Welwyn Hatfield Council told an NHS colleague that Jimmy Savile had a “little secret” and a “liking for young girls, the younger the better”, it has been claimed.

The allegations were put to investigators compiling a Department of Health report into Broadmoor Hospital, where Councillor Alan Franey was former general manager.

When interviewed by investigators, cllr Franey – now responsible for finance at the borough council – strenuously denied making the comment.

The report, published today, stated: “The former chief executive of the High Security Psychiatric Services Commissioning Board, Ray Rowden, reported to us that he had been told by the chief executive of the hospital, Alan Franey, that Savile had a ‘little secret’, a ‘liking for young girls, the younger the better’.

“This is strenuously denied by Franey, and it is not clear whether ‘the younger the better’ was understood in any way to encompass those below the age of consent.”

It also said cllr Franey had said he was not aware of any complaints during his tenure at the hospital.

For the full story and reaction, see next week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, out on Wednesday