BBC Board apologises for ‘missed opportunities’ after Tim Westwood review

The BBC Board has apologised after a review into what the broadcaster knew about concerns over former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood’s conduct found it had “missed opportunities that might have led to action”.

The publication of the report, which saw barrister Gemma White KC commissioned in 2022 by the BBC Board to examine what was known about Westwood’s alleged conduct during his time at the corporation, has been delayed at various points.

In December the BBC paused its publication of the report at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

Westwood, who stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra in April 2022, and left Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra in 2013 after nearly 20 years, faces historical sexual abuse allegations from multiple women, and “strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour”.

The BBC Board said in response to the review: “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 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.

“Beyond assessing any alleged criminality, which is a matter for the police, it is clear there were times where the BBC, on learning about concerns regarding Mr Westwood’s behaviour, 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.”

The BBC Board further said they “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”.

The cost of the review is approximately £3.3 million, the BBC said, with more than 120 individuals contributing to it.

In her findings, the report’s author Ms White said: “I have not found there to be significant BBC knowledge of allegations or concerns about sexual misconduct on Tim Westwood’s part.

“However, the overview from which I have benefited as a result of having conducted this review demonstrates the clear need for a robust mechanism for the assessment of the risks presented by the engagement of particular individuals.

“There were, in my view, a range of factors which ought to have alerted the BBC to the possibility that Tim Westwood might present a risk to young women and girls.”

People who reported allegations against Westwood told the report’s author they were “concerned that they would not be believed or might be blamed” for his behaviour.

The report said one person told Ms White that “Tim Westwood was very popular so no-one wanted to listen”.

It said: “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 also 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”.

Members of the BBC production team were left “upset and in tears” as a result of Westwood’s alleged bullying and harassment, the report added.

It said: “People referred to Tim Westwood refusing to talk to some of his BBC production team members, ‘freezing them out’ and giving them the ‘silent treatment’.

“Many told me that they, and others, found it very difficult to work with him.

“Third parties described observing BBC staff on Tim Westwood’s show being upset and in tears as a result of the way they were being treated by Tim Westwood.”

Over the last couple of years, the BBC has taken action, including introducing a “new anti-bullying and harassment policy”, as well as a “dedicated ‘support at work’ team to address bullying and harassment cases”.

The barrister leading the review said in the report that Westwood declined to take part but his lawyers provided 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”.

Mr Westwood also said that his decision to move to a new time slot in 2009 was “political, and the production staff made it clear that they did not agree with it”.

“The environment felt competitive and hostile,” he said.

“It was toxic from the outset. Mr Westwood worked incredibly hard on the show and had high standards.

“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.”

Scotland Yard previously said it is investigating accusations of offences alleged to have happened between 1982 and 2016.

Last year, the force submitted a “file of evidence” to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) regarding allegations at the height of the veteran hip hop DJ’s career and prosecutors are considering whether to bring charges against him.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: “A full file of evidence remains with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their consideration. Detectives from the Met continue to make enquiries, with support from prosecutors.”

Westwood, the son of Bill Westwood, the former Anglican bishop of Peterborough who died in the 1990s, began his career with local radio.

He then joined Capital Radio in London and was later given his own show by BBC Radio 1.

Westwood also presented the MTV UK car makeover show Pimp My Ride UK, which ran for three seasons from 2005 to 2007.