WORCESTERSHIRE resident Max Clifford has protested his innocence after being arrested by detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal - describing the allegations as "damaging and totally untrue".

The PR guru, who has a home in the village of Broadway, was held at his Surrey property at 7.40am yesterday morning on suspicion of sexual offences and taken to Belgravia police station in central London for questioning.

He was arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation into allegations of sex abuse surrounding Savile and others, before being bailed at around 9.20pm last night.

Speaking outside the police station, a shocked-looking Clifford said: "These allegations are damaging and totally untrue. On a personal level, they are very distressing for myself, my wife, my family and loved ones.

"Anyone who really knew me all those years ago and those who have known me since will have no doubt that I would never act in the way that I have today been accused."

Answering questions from reporters, Clifford said he thought he was facing two allegations dating back to 1977. Police said in a statement that a man from Surrey arrested on Thursday morning on suspicion of sexual offences had been bailed to appear at a later date, adding: "We are not prepared to discuss further."

Scotland Yard is leading the national investigation into claims made against Savile and other figures in the entertainment industry.

Clifford is the fifth suspect to be arrested - and the sixth person to be questioned - in connection with the Yewtree operation, which has already cost around £2 million and involves a team of 30 officers.