Met Police warn BBC report into DJ Tim Westwood sexual assault allegations “may interfere with justice”

The Metropolitan Police Service have warned that parts of a BBC report into sexual assault allegations against Tim Westwood “may interfere with justice” if published.

The report will comprise findings from an external review launched in 2022, which followed a slew of sexual misconduct allegations by multiple women in a joint investigation by The Guardian and BBC News.

The BBC also confirmed in July 2022 that it had received six allegations of misconduct against Westwood, one of which was handed over to police. And, in a further investigation, the BBC News documentary Hip Hop’s Open Secret: Tim Westwood, the DJ was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s.

Westwood stepped down from his Capital Xtra radio show shortly after the initial allegations were published, while consistently denying all claims raised against him.

In July, a BBC spokesperson confirmed that the report by barrister Gemma White KC had been completed. White wrote to people who took part in the review to provide them with an insight into the current status. The BBC was “at the stage of going through certain important legal processes before it is in a position to publish the findings” – this included “avoiding any negative impact on any police investigation”, the update read.

Now, in an article by BBC News published on Saturday (October 26), a Met Police spokesperson shared an update with BBC News: “We have seen the report and made recommendations to the BBC as to which sections of the report may interfere with justice if published.”

It is also understood that the report is due to be published within the next month, the outlet adds.

Last year, it was then reported that Westwood had been interviewed under caution by police in relation to five sexual offence allegations that are said to have occurred in London between 1982 and 2016.

Months later, a 24-hour hotline opened, allowing people to anonymously provide evidence regarding Tim Westwood‘s alleged sexual misconduct. It was reported shortly afterwards that the helpline had received a “significant amount of important new information”, and, in October 2023, it was confirmed that the DJ had been interviewed by the Metropolitan Police for the fourth time.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

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