BBC ‘didn’t fully probe’ sex claims into former Radio 1 DJ
THE BBC failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct allegations against ex-Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, a review concluded yesterday.
The broadcaster has now appointed a top independent barrister to lead a broader inquiry to ‘ fully examine’ the hip-hop presenter’s conduct and the corporation’s handling of allegations made against him.
It comes as Scotland Yard also said it was investigating four reports of sexual offences, one of which dates back four decades. The BBC admitted last month it had received six allegations against Westwood, who worked for the corporation for two decades, despite director- general Tim Davie previously stating he had seen ‘no evidence of complaints’.
Westwood, 64, who was the BBC’s ‘voice of rap’ between 1994 and 2013, strongly denies any wrongdoing. Mr Davie launched an internal audit, reporting to the BBC board’s senior independent director, Sir Nicholas Serota, last month.
Sir Nicholas said yesterday that allegations continue to emerge, adding: ‘In light of the BBC’s internal review, I believe that there may have been occasions in the past when the BBC should have further explored issues that were being raised.’
The broadcaster has appointed Gemma White, QC, supported by law firm Linklaters, to lead the broader review. The experienced barrister led the 2018-19 Commons inquiry into MPs bullying parliamentary staff.
The BBC has said it is willing to work with Westwood’s other employers, which include MTV and Capital Xtra-owner Global, to fully establish the facts around his alleged misconduct.
The initial review has examined allegations reported after 2012 in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, and found two claims of sexual misconduct and two about Westwood’s behaviour in the workplace.
Among these was an allegation that the DJ made sexual remarks to a 15-year-old girl at a non-BBC event in 2007.
This incident was referred to police, but they said they would take no further action in 2013.
After BBC News and the Guardian published allegations from seven women in April, the corporation has received further allegations about Westwood. Among them is a claim of sexual assault at a BBC event about 15
‘Should have explored issues’
years ago, two allegations of sexual assault in the 1980s and a ‘consensual sexual encounter’ in the mid-2000s that the complainant now considers to have been inappropriate.
Scotland Yard did not name Westwood but confirmed the force was investigating an individual following the allegations published on the BBC.
It said: ‘The offences are alleged to have occurred in London in 1982, 1985, 2010 and 2016.’
The BBC said it was in contact with the Met. The corporation’s report said it had not yet been possible to conduct a comprehensive probe into whether the broadcaster held further allegations about Westwood during his period at the BBC.
Sir Nicholas said Miss White’s review was expected to be completed within six months. It is understood at least 17 women have come forward with complaints about Westwood.