BBC apologises for failing to stop DJ Tim Westwood's 'bullying and misogynistic behaviour'

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 working for the corporation.

The review did not find "significant BBC knowledge of allegations or concerns about sexual misconduct" by the DJ, but concluded there were "a range of factors which ought to have alerted" the broadcaster to the possibility he "might present a risk to young women and girls".

Westwood did not take part in the review. In a statement for the report sent through his solicitors, he strongly denied his behaviour "ever amounted to bullying or harassment", and said some people "behaved poorly" towards him.

Publication of the report, commissioned in 2022, has faced several delays - including in December, when the BBC postponed at the request of the Metropolitan Police.

The review, carried out by barrister Gemma White KC, has cost approximately £3.3m.

It included contributions from more than 120 individuals and highlights several allegations which Ms White said showed there was a "considerable body of evidence either known to, or available to" the BBC which raised questions about Westwood's conduct.

Responding to the report, the BBC board highlighted the review had found "no widespread or significant BBC knowledge of allegations or concerns about predatory sexual behaviour".

Their statement continued: "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...

"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."

What did the review find?

People who reported allegations against Westwood said they were "concerned that they would not be believed or might be blamed" for his alleged behaviour, Ms White wrote in her report.

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 found. "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 person described Westwood's conduct as being "so public" and "brazen", the report stated, and members of the BBC production team were left "upset and in tears" as a result of his alleged bullying and harassment.

The report read: "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."

Ms White's report said "many people" also raised concerns about the way Westwood treated people on air, including jokes about women's breasts, and the review team listened to a selection of his 1Xtra drivetime shows during their investigations.

"There are repeated examples of Tim Westwood discussing, or referring to, the bodies of those who were in the studio with him and of jokes at their expense," Ms White wrote.

However, she added: "I did not hear of any allegation of inappropriate sexual contact with BBC colleagues and no BBC employee who worked with Tim Westwood told me that they regarded inappropriate sexualised language that Tim Westwood is alleged to have used about them to be a sexual advance."

 The BBC has taken a range of actions in recent years, including implementing a specialist case management process to consider the most serious allegations and concerns raised, as well as a new anti-bullying and harassment policy.

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.

In their statement for the review, Westwood's lawyers said he had complained about "negative behaviour" towards him when he worked for 1Xtra and was "essentially advised to rise above it".

He also said after a move to a new slot in 2009, "the environment felt competitive and hostile" and was "toxic from the outset".

On some occasions, Westwood "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", his lawyers' statement said. "He accepts that this contributed to a divisive atmosphere within some of the teams with which he worked."

Allegations against Westwood were first made public in 2022, when several women accused him of sexual misconduct. He has strongly denied all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and wrongdoing.

The Met Police previously said detectives were investigating accusations of offences alleged to have happened between 1982 and 2016.

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