The BBC board has apologised over “missed opportunities” to tackle “bullying and misogynistic behaviour” by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.
An independent report commissioned in 2022 by the BBC into what the corporation knew about Mr Westwood’s conduct was published on Tuesday, highlighting a series of incidents and allegations that it said amounts to a “considerable body of evidence” that it failed to investigate properly.
The BBC board admitted it did not “take adequate action”, saying: “It is clear that in the past, the BBC has not only been too siloed but too deferential to high-profile individuals.”
The BBC had previously acknowledged six complaints about bullying and sexual misconduct. In a video that appeared on social media last year, the DJ said: “It’s all false allegations.”
The BBC board said: “Beyond assessing any alleged criminality, which is a matter for the police, it is clear there were times where the BBC, on learning about concerns regarding Mr Westwood’s behaviour, did not take adequate action.
“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.”
The report, which has cost approximately £3.3m, found “there was no widespread or significant or BBC knowledge of allegations or concerns about predatory sexual behaviour by Mr Westwood” but there were “instances where the organisation missed opportunities that might have led to action.”
The BBC says that it has since improved its processes.
