The BBC has shared an update regarding its investigation into Tim Westwood, following multiple sexual assault allegations being made.
The accusations against the former BBC Radio 1 DJ first came to light in April 2022, when Westwood was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women in a joint investigation by The Guardian and BBC News. Westwood has consistently denied all allegations raised against him.
Last year, it was then reported that Westwood had been interviewed under caution by police in relation to five sexual offence allegations that are said to have occurred in London between 1982 and 2016. He stepped down from his Capital Xtra radio show shortly after the initial allegations were published.
From there, the BBC revealed in summer 2022 that it had received six allegations of misconduct against Westwood, one of which was handed over to police. In a further investigation, the BBC News documentary Hip Hop’s Open Secret: Tim Westwood, the DJ was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl when he was in his 30s.
A statement from a representative for Westwood at the time read: “Tim Westwood strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour. In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him officially or unofficially.”
It added: “Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.”
Last year, a 24-hour hotline opened, allowing people to anonymously provide evidence regarding Tim Westwood‘s alleged sexual misconduct.
It was reported shortly afterwards that the helpline had received a “significant amount of important new information”, and a few months later it was confirmed that the DJ had been interviewed by the Metropolitan Police for the fourth time.
Now, the BBC has shared an update on the investigation into Westwood, and confirmed that barrister Gemma White KC has completed her report into the DJ.
As outlined in the update, White wrote to people who took part in the review to provide them with an insight into the current status. The BBC is now “at the stage of going through certain important legal processes before it is in a position to publish the findings”.
This legal process is being done to ensure that the process does not have any impact on the ongoing police investigation. It seeks to be in a position to share the report this autumn.
“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,” the update read. “If the BBC considers that individuals are identified or identifiable in those findings to be published, they will be contacted in advance of publication and given an opportunity to provide any reasons they think their identifying details should be redacted.”
It concluded: “If for legal reasons there needs to be a more substantial delay before any publication, there will again be an update; either from Gemma White KC to participants or a statement from the BBC.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
The post BBC share update on investigation into Tim Westwood after sexual assault allegations appeared first on NME.
