UK finance minister says he would not have made PM's comment over Savile

LONDON - Britain's finance minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday he would not have made Prime Minister Boris Johnson's false claim that the opposition Labour Party leader had failed to prosecute one of Britain's most notorious sex offenders.

Earlier this week, Johnson said Keir Starmer was responsible for the decision not to take action against Savile, a TV and radio host who had abused hundreds of victims.

Johnson tried to row back on his comments on Thursday.

Asked about the comments during a news conference, Sunak said: "Being honest, I wouldn't have said it and I am glad the prime minister clarified what he said."