Tim Westwood’s conduct throughout his time on the BBC shall be investigated by an unbiased reviewer, as ‘new allegations and points are rising’, the company has mentioned.
Following an inside BBC overview, the BBC Board has instructed Gemma White QC, of the agency Linklaters, to guide the investigation into the radio DJ, who has confronted sexual misconduct allegations.
Westwood, 64, has beforehand denied the allegations towards him, together with his reps saying in a previous assertion: ‘Tim Westwood strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
‘In a profession that has spanned 40 years, there have by no means been any complaints made towards him formally or unofficially. Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.’
The BBC Board made the choice following an expedited overview by the its inside investigations group and can cross any related info from their ongoing investigation to the Metropolitan Police, who they're involved with.
Board member Sir Nicholas Serota has mentioned the BBC ought to have additional explored points that have been being raised concerning the former Radio 1, Capital and Capital Xtra DJ, following an inside overview into allegations of sexual misconduct.
Serota mentioned in an announcement: ‘I'm grateful to the BBC’s investigations group for the work they've completed.
‘It is a crucial piece of labor, however I see it as a primary step. New allegations and points are rising as time passes and extra persons are ready to come back ahead. For that reason the work should proceed.
‘In gentle of the problems recognized by the inner overview, I've requested, on behalf of the BBC Board, that a broader overview is now carried out and a full report is produced.
‘It's important that this work is ready to command the total confidence of those that have, or might need, to come back ahead, in addition to the broader public, and it's for that motive the BBC Board believes there must be unbiased oversight. I've subsequently requested Gemma White QC to guide this work. She is a vastly revered barrister who has related experience and expertise on this space.’
He added that he has requested for the subsequent stage of the investigation to be accomplished inside the subsequent six months, however the deadline could possibly be set to vary if additional points emerge and extra time is required to discover them correctly.
‘In gentle of the BBC’s inside overview, I imagine that there might have been events prior to now when the BBC ought to have additional explored points that have been being raised,’ he continued.
‘It now seems there are allegations towards Tim Westwood relationship to earlier than, throughout and after his employment with the BBC and in addition elsewhere. The BBC is keen to work with some other employers with the intention to totally set up what occurred.’
Serota added that the problems recognized up to now dated earlier than 2012’s Dame Janet Smith overview, which was revealed in 2016 and led to ‘important modifications’ on the BBC, significantly with how problems with misconduct are dealt with.
The present investigation may even serve to determine any ‘present processes and procedures require updating or bettering’ on the BBC.
He concluded: ‘Lastly, we owe it to those that have spoken out and raised points to study extra about what occurred and to provide others the chance to inform us about their experiences.
‘I might urge anybody with additional info to reply to the decision for proof. That is essential, in fact, for them personally, but in addition to make sure that the BBC and different organisations are greatest positioned to behave sooner or later.’
Westwood has been accused of misconduct and abuse relationship from 1990 to 2020.
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