The BBC has apologised after it “missed opportunities that might have led to action” following claims of “bullying and misogynistic behaviour” against former Radio One star Tim Westwood.
It comes after the publication of an independent external review carried out into Westwood‘s conduct during his time at the broadcaster, which found 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 DJ has previously said he “strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour”.
People who reported allegations against Westwood told the review’s author, Gemma White KC, they were “concerned that they would not be believed or might be blamed” for his alleged behaviour.
The DJ was “very popular so no one wanted to listen”, one person 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,” the report said. “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.”
One alleged victim Westwood’s conduct as being “so public” and “brazen”, the report stated.
The Metropolitan Police previously said detectives were investigating accusations of offences alleged to have happened between 1982 and 2016.
Ms White said Westwood declined to take part in the review, 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”.
Westwood began his career on local radio before joining Capital Radio in London.
He then moved to the BBC and left Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra after nearly 20 years in 2013.
He hosted a regular Saturday show on Capital Xtra, where he was referred to as “The Big Dawg”, before he left the company in 2022.
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