A note written by Jimmy Savile declaring his love for Margaret Thatcher shows how he tried to enlist support for a hospital where he is known to have abused vulnerable people.
In what now appear to be chilling references, Savile refers in the letter to the excitement of his “girl patients” and “paralyzed (sic) lads” at Stoke Mandeville Hospital following a lunch with Thatcher in 1980.
The letter is among a series of previously secret files released to the National Archives in Kew, south west London and show the former Top Of The Pops presenter’s communications with the PM as he tried to enlist support for his work to renovate Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
The DJ, awarded a knighthood in 1990 for charitable services, received widespread praise for his work with the hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
But it has since emerged to be one of a series of places where Savile preyed on vulnerable people, abusing them over decades.
An ITV documentary aired on October 4 prompted hundreds of people across the country to come forward about the abuse they say they suffered at Savile’s hands.
In his letter to Mrs Thatcher the star spoke of the reaction of his “girl patients” and “paralyzed lads” to his lunch date with her.
Hand-written on “Jim’s ‘Daily Dozen’ paper”, it bears the address Flat 84, 22 Park Crescent, W1.
It reads: “Dear Prime Minister. I waited a week before writing to thank you for my lunch invitation because I had such a superb time I didn’t want to be too effusive.
“My girl patients pretended to be madly jealous + wanted to know what you wore + what you ate. All the paralyzed lads called me ‘Sir James’ all week. They all love you. Me too!!
“Jimmy Savile OBE xxx.”
The previously unseen documents reveal Savile’s regular communications with Mrs Thatcher and Number 10, including his request for a Government contribution to Stoke Mandeville.
The following year there were discussions about Savile’s suggestion of a Government contribution to Stoke Mandeville.
The matter is debated in further letters as where the money should come from is discussed.
In December 1981 it was decided the Government would give £500,000 to the Stoke Mandeville Appeal.
Source : Orange
