BBC: We Fell Short Over Westwood Misconduct

The BBC has admitted it "fell short and failed people" and apologised after a review found evidence of "bullying and misogynistic" behaviour by its former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.

- Alexandra Topping

A £3.3m external inquiry published yesterday found the broadcaster "missed opportunities" during the DJ's two decades at the organisation that could have led to action.

The inquiry was triggered by a 2022 Guardian and BBC News joint investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by the DJ. Gemma White KC, who heard from more than 120 people during the inquiry, found there was no "significant BBC knowledge of allegations or concerns about sexual misconduct" by Westwood, but there were "a range of factors which ought to have alerted the BBC to the possibility that [he] might present a risk to young women and girls".

The BBC board, which commissioned the review in 2022, added that the 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".

Apologising to those affected, it said: "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." In the investigation by the Guardian and BBC News, seven women accused Westwood, 67, of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour.

The DJ - who became one of the best-known names in hip-hop after hosting BBC Radio 1's first Rap Show in 1994 - denied all the allegations, with a spokesperson saying they were "completely false".