“The BBC must continually strive to do better” as they apologise and publish review into Tim Westwood’s conduct 

The BBC has published a review into Tim Westwood’s conduct, and apologised to those affected by his alleged actions.

The published findings come following a review carried out by Gemma White KC, who investigated what the BBC knew about the conduct of Tim Westwood during his time working with the company.

The report was launched in 2022, and followed a slew of sexual misconduct allegations made against the Radio One DJ by multiple women in a joint investigation by The Guardian and BBC News. It was then confirmed in July of that year that the BBC had received six allegations of misconduct against Westwood, one of which was handed over to police. 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, and has consistently denied all claims raised against him.

The report was initially expected to be released in December 2024, but was later delayed to allow for further time for the investigating authorities to consider its impact on ongoing investigations.

Now, it has been shared and is available in full here. It reportedly cost £3.3million to conduct.

Beginning its response to the findings, the BBC Board thanked White KC for the review and described it as having “given voice to many individuals who otherwise might not have been heard”. It also mentioned that over 120 individuals were interviewed for the report, and that the BBC will look to assist the police in any way possible.

“It is worth noting, at the outset, that the report finds there was no widespread or significant BBC knowledge of allegations or concerns about predatory sexual behaviour by Mr Westwood,” it read. “It is clear, however, that  there were instances where the organisation missed opportunities that might have led to action. Allegations were treated in isolation rather than being brought together. Had this happened, the BBC may have seen a pattern of behaviour that it could have acted on.”

It continued, adding that “there were times where the BBC […] did not take adequate action”.

“ There is evidence of bullying and misogynistic behaviour on the part of Mr Westwood and the plain fact is that his general conduct was entirely incompatible with BBC values – not just now, but then. The organisation fell short and failed people – including our own staff – who had a right to expect better from us,” it continued.

“The report concludes with a number of observations about the inadequacies of BBC policies and practices at the time, such as not having a system in place for considering all the relevant issues and concerns alongside each other.”

Elsewhere, the BBC Board said that it has asked the Executive to respond and explain how policies and practices have changed since Westwood left the BBC.

“Abuse of power is an area where the Board continues to have concerns and where everyone in a leadership position at the BBC must continually strive to do better,” it concluded. “The Board also wants to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the entire BBC to anyone impacted by what the review has found. Your voice has been heard, and the findings of the review will further fuel the drive to ensure it does not happen again.”

In the report, it is outlined that those impacted by Westwood’s alleged behaviour were “concerned that they would not be believed or might be blamed” for his alleged actions.

“A common theme amongst those who reported allegations was that they did not know or understand at the time that the behaviour which they had described to me was wrong,” the report read. “Some said they had only realised when they were older, or recently. One person referred to not understanding at the time what sexual assault was.”

Elsewhere, one participant in the report claimed that the DJ’s alleged misconduct was “so public” and “brazen”. It also claimed that members of the BBC production team were left “upset and in tears” due to his behaviour (via Sky News).

It goes on to give examples of the DJ “freezing” people out or giving them the “silent treatment”, share comments from some who claimed it was “very difficult” to work with him, and recall examples of inappropriate comments he allegedly made towards women.

It is also worth noting that, in the report, White added: “I did not hear of any allegation of inappropriate sexual contact with BBC colleagues and no BBC employee who worked with Tim Westwood told me that they regarded inappropriate sexualised language that Tim Westwood is alleged to have used about them to be a sexual advance.”

Tim Westwood has yet to publicly respond to the report, although has consistently denied all allegations raised against him. The investigations from the police into the accusations are still ongoing.

A spokesperson for Met Police said on Monday (February 24, via BBC): “A full file of evidence remains with the CPS for their consideration. Detectives from the Met continue to make enquiries, with support from prosecutors.”

Back in 2023, it was 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.

Soon afterwards, a 24-hour hotline opened, allowing people to anonymously provide evidence regarding the DJ‘s alleged sexual misconduct. It was then reported 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.

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