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Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Westwood report key findings: DJ's alleged behaviour was ‘a factor' in BBC exit
The key findings of a report commissioned by the BBC into Tim Westwood has concluded that there were a 'range of factors which ought to have alerted the BBC' that he may have presented a 'risk to young women and girls'. Barrister Gemma White KC was commissioned in 2022 by the BBC Board to examine what was known about Westwood's alleged conduct in the nearly 20 years he worked at the corporation. She claimed in the report that Westwood's alleged behaviour was a 'factor' in his contract not being renewed by the BBC in 2013, and he left Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra. Westwood faced historical sexual abuse allegations from multiple women in 2022, and stepped down from his Capital Xtra show that April. He has said he 'strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour'. A summary below delves into the report: – What are the allegations in the report? Some of the accusations and concerns were not reported to the BBC at the time, and part of them were redacted from the report amid the police investigation. A person alleged that after giving him a 'business card', the DJ said he would come to her house and despite her refusal later in the day he 'insisted and turned up anyway, slurring his words' and was later 'mildly abusive'. She claims he contacted her again, and a family member intervened. Another woman claimed that he 'hounded' a friend, who she described as 'a 17-year-old black woman', and invited her to his hotel, and an allegation from an individual alleged he made 'inappropriate comments' at a post-GCSE results event and he 'messaged her friend inviting her back to his home'. Allegations were also made of his behaviour at university halls, nightclubs, festivals and he sent messages to 'girls'. There were also claims by a BBC employee that Westwood took another DJ's competition winners to a club event, where friends of a woman raised concerns. The person did not want to make a report, though seemed 'unsettled, but not overly distressed', the employee said and they 'reported this to someone at work', but could not recall further information. Westwood's lawyers said he was never spoken to about the incident, and the BBC has no record of a complaint. An allegation, dating back to 2010, said Westwood 'mimed grabbing' a student's 'breasts' on his 1Xtra drivetime show – which his lawyers say he 'strongly denies'. A BBC staff member also alleged Westwood was seen with a 'young girl' or possibly two 'young girls' in his hotel room, but 'they did not know or believe that Tim Westwood was having a sexual relationship with any of the girls or young women'. A text message sent to BBC 1Xtra in 2011 which contained an allegation of 'serious, criminal, sexual misconduct' on behalf of 'more than one person who worked for the BBC', including Westwood, was viewed as a 'crank malicious communication', the report said. There was an 'altercation' on December 17 2012 between Mic Righteous and Westwood at Broadcasting House, which was reported to Radio 1 and BBC management, following the rapper releasing a diss track alleging inappropriate behaviour with teenagers. – Why did BBC staff say they did not make allegations? The report said one person told Ms White that 'Tim Westwood was very popular so no-one wanted to listen'. The report read: '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. '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.' The report said one alleged victim 'felt they would not be taken seriously and described the conduct as being 'so public and brazen' that Tim Westwood clearly felt comfortable doing it'. BBC staff also said they 'found it very difficult to work with him', and staff were 'upset and in tears' by his behaviour. – What did the barrister suggest? She said that the BBC may properly consider 'safeguarding duties' and that someone is 'not suitable for engagement in particular roles', and they may want to look at the 'ages of the people with whom an individual engages in sexual contact and the circumstances in which it takes place'. Ms White said the BBC could look at the criteria used in education settings, which requires schools to respond to 'low-level concerns' including 'nagging doubts' about a person's behaviour. She said encouraging reporting does not always mean 'formal action' needs to be taken and added that it 'enables an organisation to consider concerns which might not appear significant when taken alone but which together demonstrate a pattern of inappropriate behaviour'. She also said there was 'inadequate communication' between the BBC and 'people who raised complaints', and a 'lack' of certain record keeping – which she raised as something that could be looked at. – Why did Westwood leave the BBC? Ms White said the head of programmes and commissioning editor, at the time, claimed the decision to take Westwood off his 'daytime drivetime show announced in May 2012' was 'in part because he was creating a toxic atmosphere in the studio' and the need for younger talent, and his rap show was not renewed in 2013 for similar reasons. Ms White also said the employee said he 'cannot specifically recall there being any ongoing staff issues' with the rap programme, but Westwood was 'unpopular amongst BBC staff because of his behaviour'. The employee also said the ''shock jock' style of broadcasting had come at the cost of overstepping the mark on several occasions and had been attracting some criticism: it was becoming tired'. Other factors he mentioned included Westwood having an argument with 'an artist which had led to a physical altercation, the negative social media, the fact his persona was being mocked by (comedian) Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G, and The Sun inquiry meant there was an unacceptable level of 'noise'' Westwood's lawyers told the report that the radio shake-up was due to 'new management', and he 'was not made aware of any other reason for the decision at the time'. – What has Westwood said? The report said Westwood declined to take part but his lawyers did provide a statement. It said he 'strongly denies that his behaviour ever amounted to bullying or harassment', and said some people 'behaved poorly towards' him. The statement said he 'complained to the controller about this negative behaviour at the time and he was essentially advised to rise above it'. It added: 'On certain occasions, he took issue with some of his colleagues' poor attitude to work and low productivity, and expressed his opinion that they were lazy and out of touch with the audience. 'He accepts that this contributed to a divisive atmosphere within some of the teams with which he worked.' – What did the BBC Board say? The BBC Board apologised and said 'on behalf of the entire BBC to anyone impacted by what the review has found', their 'voice has been heard, and the findings of the review will further fuel the drive to ensure it does not happen again'. It also 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.' They also said there had been changes in workplace policy and 'the senior management team will actively consider any other actions which can build on and improve our processes for handling concerns'. It also said the BBC 'must and will act on their recommendations – doing so is vital to ensuring trust in the BBC.'.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tim Westwood: Timeline of allegations following review published by BBC
A review has been published by the BBC looking into what the broadcaster knew about the conduct of DJ Tim Westwood while he worked there. The BBC Board has apologised after it found there was 'inadequate communication' between the corporation and 'people who raised complaints', with the report outlining how members of the BBC production team were left 'upset and in tears' as a result of his alleged bullying and harassment. The 67-year-old was accused of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by multiple women in 2022 but he 'strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing'. Westwood was a DJ at BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra for almost 20 years before his departure in 2013. Here is a timeline of the allegations as well as the events surrounding the independent review launched by the BBC: 2022 – April 26 The veteran radio DJ is accused of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by several women in allegations reported by BBC News and The Guardian. A statement from a representative of Westwood to the PA news agency says he 'strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing'. The BBC says it is 'against all forms of inappropriate behaviour' and is 'shocked to hear of these allegations'. A documentary titled Tim Westwood: Abuse Of Power airs on BBC Three. – April 27 BBC director-general Tim Davie says the allegations are 'shocking' and the claims made by the women are 'powerful and appalling', but that he has seen 'no evidence of complaints' from the DJ's time at the corporation. Westwood steps down from his Capital Xtra show until further notice. – July 4 The BBC says it received six complaints against Westwood, including one that was referred to police, despite Mr Davie previously saying he had seen 'no evidence of complaints'. – July 12 Mr Davie says the broadcaster will deliver a report into complaints made about Westwood within the next two weeks. – July 13 The second part of a BBC Three documentary exploring the allegations made in a joint BBC and The Guardian investigation airs. Another 10 women claim they are victims of sexual misconduct by Westwood, with one alleging he had sex with her when she was 14. – August 4 A review into allegations of sexual misconduct, led by Sir Nicholas Serota, concludes that the BBC should have further explored issues that were being raised about Westwood during his time at the broadcaster. The corporation reveals it has appointed an independent barrister, Gemma White KC, to lead a broader review to 'fully examine' his conduct during the time he spent working there. – October 3 The BBC urges people with information about Westwood's time at the broadcaster to come forward and contact Ms White. – November 10 The call for evidence is extended in a bid to encourage more people to come forward. 2023 – April 12 The Metropolitan Police says officers have been investigating five accusations of offences alleged to have happened between 1982 and 2016. The police also reveals that a 65-year-old man was interviewed under caution on March 15 2023 and April 4 2023. – April 20 A 24-hour hotline is launched as part of the BBC inquiry. – May 20 The phone line closes after Ms White says she received a 'significant amount of important new information'. – July 11 Westwood is interviewed under police caution for a third time. – October 25 Westwood is interviewed under police caution for a fourth time. 2024 – July 22 The corporation says the independent inquiry into Westwood's conduct at the BBC has been completed, but needs time to be published due to an 'ongoing police investigation'. – November 7 Prosecutors consider whether to bring charges against Westwood over allegations of historic sexual abuse. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, tells the PA news agency: 'A file of evidence has now been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and our team continues to make inquiries, with support from prosecutors.' – December 5 The BBC pauses it publication of a report into Westwood at the request of the Metropolitan Police. A BBC spokesman says: 'We recognise that this pause to publication will be disappointing, particularly to those who came forward to participate in the review and to whom we are very grateful.' 2025 – February 25 The BBC publishes the findings of a review into what the corporation knew about Westwood's conduct during his time at the broadcaster and how it managed those complaints at the time. The report says 'many people' raised concerns about the way Westwood treated people on air, including jokes about women's breasts. It also says members of the BBC production team were left 'upset and in tears' as a result of his alleged bullying and harassment. The barrister leading the review says Westwood declined to take part in the review but his lawyers did provide a statement. It says he 'strongly denies that his behaviour ever amounted to bullying or harassment', and said some people 'behaved poorly towards' him. The BBC Board apologises after the review found it had 'missed opportunities that might have led to action'.
