Freddie Starr rearrested over further allegations of sexual offences by officers from Operation Yewtree

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The comedian Freddie Starr has been rearrested over further allegations of sexual offences, it has emerged.

The entertainer, who was arrested last November, answered bail and was arrested for a second time over additional claims, according to Scotland Yard. He has previously denied all allegations.

Today the Metropolitan Police said that a man in his sixties had been “further arrested on suspicion of sexual offences in connection with further allegations made to Operation Yewtree”.

It is the 13th arrest in Operation Yewtree, the national inquiry sparked after allegations of abuse were made against Jimmy Savile. Twelve men have been arrested and bailed since Operation Yewtree was launched last October. They include the singer Gary Glitter, publicist Max Clifford and DJ Dave Lee Travis.

The investigation is has been split into three strands - allegations against Savile, those against Savile and others, and those against others. Starr was originally arrested under the “Savile and others” strand, but the re-arrest was not linked to Savile.

Data recently obtained by The Independent through a Freedom of Information request revealed that 69 Metropolitan Police officers and staff have been assigned to Yewtree, a three-part operation, investigating alleged sexual offences occurring in the 1970s and 1980s.