LONDON — British police arrested prominent publicist Max Clifford on Thursday in connection to 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 Thursday morning in Surrey, south of London, on suspicion of sexual offenses and is being questioned at a central London police station.

Clifford, 69, is Britain’s best-known public relations guru, a man with an uncanny ability to place stories in papers — 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.