The BBC has defended its decision to sack veteran DJ Scott Mills following a police investigation into historic sexual offence allegations against a teenage boy.
LONDON: The BBC has defended its handling of the sacking of veteran DJ Scott Mills, who was dismissed years after being the subject of a police investigation into allegations of sexual offences against a teenage boy.
The controversy surrounding the former Radio 2 host, 53, is the latest involving a high-profile presenter to roil the publicly funded broadcaster.
London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed this week that it questioned Mills in 2018 over allegations of “serious sexual offences” against a boy under the age of 16.
The case was opened in 2016, with the offences alleged to have taken place between 1997 and 2000 when Mills was in his 20s.
Prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges and the investigation was closed in 2019, according to police.
The BBC admitted it was “made aware” in 2017 of the police probe and is now “doing more work to understand the detail of what was known”.
A spokesperson confirmed that “in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him”.
“As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday 27 March,” the spokesperson added.
The broadcaster has faced growing pressure in recent days to explain the DJ’s sudden departure and whether it had prior knowledge of the investigation.
“The BBC has made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards,” the spokesperson stated.
“Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC and we were clear action would be taken if these were not met.”
Mills has not yet commented publicly on his departure, which was first reported by the Daily Mirror tabloid.
The BBC has been rocked by multiple sexual scandals involving top personalities in recent years, including former news anchor Huw Edwards and the late ex-presenter Jimmy Savile.
Last year, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood pleaded not guilty to counts of rape and sexual assault alleged to have taken place between 1983 and 2016.
Comedian Russell Brand, who presented a BBC Radio 2 show between 2006 and 2008, is currently on trial in London accused of sexual offences.
Former Google executive Matt Brittin is set to become BBC director-general in May, succeeding Tim Davie who resigned in November over the editing of a documentary about US President Donald Trump.
