The BBC has published an update on its investigation into the conduct of Tim Westwood during his time working for the broadcaster.
It launched that investigation in the wake of a media exposé in 2022 in which a number of women accused the DJ of sexual misconduct, with many of the alleged incidents occurring between 1994 and 2013 when Westwood presented shows on BBC radio stations.
The BBC board asked barrister Gemma White KC to investigate those allegations and to assess the extent to which BBC management were aware of complaints made against the DJ while he was still working there. The latest update reveals that she completed that work and submitted a report earlier this year. The BBC is now “going through certain important legal processes before it is in a position to publish the findings”.
London’s Metropolitan Police has also been investigating some of the allegations made against Westwood, and one of things the BBC is currently checking is that publishing White’s report will not “have a negative impact on any ongoing police investigation”.
The BBC’s statement continues, “Depending on the outcome of this process, the BBC hopes to be in a position to publish the report in the autumn. However, the priority remains avoiding any negative impact on any police investigation, and so no final decisions can be taken until this important step is complete”.
White has already contacted people who took part in her review and she “intends to update those who contributed to the review again before any of her findings are published by the BBC”.
“If for legal reasons there needs to be a more substantial delay before any publication”, the BBC’s statement concludes, “there will again be an update; either from Gemma White KC to participants or a statement from the BBC”.
Westwood has previously denied all the allegations of misconduct that have been made against him.
