Operation Yewtree detectives arrest 79-year-old man on suspicion of sexual offences

The man, who has not been named, was released on bail and is due to return on a date in early December

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Operation Yewtree detectives have arrested a 79-year-old man on suspicion of sexual offences, Scotland Yard said late Tuesday.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrest fell under the strand of the operation known as "others", which means the latest arrest is not alleged to be directly connected to the paedophile DJ, who died in 2011, aged 84.

The man, who became the 19th to be arrested as part of the investigation, was held in Essex by officers working on the investigation into historic sex crimes which was launched in the wake of the Jimmy Saville scandal.

The man, who has not been named, was released on bail and is due to return on a date in early December.

While the inquiry has led to the convictions of Gary Glitter, Rolf Harris and Max Clifford for sex offences, the inquiry has had mixed results.

Some like broadcaster Paul Gambaccini, who spent more than a year on bail after being accused of historic sex offences have accused the police of inviting people to come forward and make allegations against celebrities in order to corroborate existing claims.

He has also called for the accused to be granted anonymity until charged.

In his diary about his year on bail Love, Paul Gambaccini, he ends with a warning: “They said it couldn't happen here. It did. It happened to me. Unless there is reform, it will happen again. It could happen to you. What are you going to do about it?” Love, Paul Gambaccini.”