LONDON: British police on Thursday arrested prominent publicist Max Clifford in connection with the broad investigation into child sex abuse spurred by the Jimmy Savile case.

Clifford’s lawyer, Charlotte Harris, confirmed the early morning arrest. ‘‘Max Clifford is being interviewed by police,” she said in a statement. “Mr Clifford will assist the police as best he can with their inquiries. When we are in a position to provide further information, we will.’’

Police did not identify Clifford, as is customary, but said that a man in his 60s was arrested on Thursday morning in Surrey, south of London, on suspicion of sexual offences and is being questioned at a central London police station. Clifford, 69, is Britain’s best-known PR guru, a man with an uncanny ability to either place stories in newspapers — or keep them out. His clients include entertainment mogul Simon Cowell, former Harrod’s owner Mohamed al-Fayed and the late reality star Jade Goody.—AP