PUBLIC relations guru Max Clifford has hit back at "damaging" sex claims after he was arrested by detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.

The publicist was held at his Surrey home on suspicion of sexual offences and taken to a central London police station for questioning.

Mr Clifford said he thought he was facing two allegations dating back to 1977.

But he said the allegations were "damaging and totally untrue" and were "very distressing for myself, my wife, my family and loved ones."

Speaking after he left the police station following questioning by detectives, he said anyone who knew him would have "no doubt I would never act in the way I have today been accused of".

He was arrested as part of Operation Yewtree, the investigation into allegations of sex abuse surrounding Savile and others – but it is not connected to the allegations made against the late BBC presenter.

Mr Clifford has been released on bail by police until a date later this month.

Scotland Yard is leading the national investigation into claims made against the disgraced TV presenter and other entertainment figures.

Mr Clifford is one of the most influential figures in the British media and has worked for many showbiz stars.

He is the fifth suspect to be arrested – and the sixth person to be questioned – in connection with the Yewtree operation, which has cost about £2million and involves 30 officers.

Last month he publicly questioned where the police inquiry might lead and said a lot of old stars were worried about being dragged into the investigation because they had appeared on Top Of The Pops or Jim'll Fix It and had merely posed for photographs with girls and Savile.

"It is a situation which could easily turn into a witch hunt, a lot of big stars are frightened," he said. "Where is it going to end?

"I hope the the police concentrate on finding people like Jimmy Savile who were manipulating girls."

His arrest follows the questioning by detectives last week of a man in his 80s from Berkshire, as part of the probe that does not directly relate to Savile.

Gary Glitter, DJ Dave Lee Travis, comedian Freddie Starr and a man in his 70s, said to be ex-TV producer Wilfred De'Ath, have been arrested and bailed as part of the investigation.