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| BBC sorry for 'missed opportunities' over DJ Tim Westwood's 'bullying behaviour' | BBC sorry for 'missed opportunities' over DJ Tim Westwood's 'bullying behaviour' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The BBC board has apologised over "missed opportunities" to tackle "bullying and misogynistic behaviour" by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood. | 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 into what the BBC knew about Mr Westwood's conduct was published on Tuesday, highlighting a series of incidents and allegations it said amounts to a "considerable body of evidence" that it failed to investigate properly. | An independent report into what the BBC knew about Mr Westwood's conduct was published on Tuesday, highlighting a series of incidents and allegations 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 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 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. | 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." | "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 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. | The BBC says that it has since improved its processes. |
| Workplace misconduct 'concerns' | |
| Gemma White KC, who led the report, highlighted that some staff felt uncomfortable raising grievances with management about the DJ. | Gemma White KC, who led the report, highlighted that some staff felt uncomfortable raising grievances with management about the DJ. |
| "Those who spoke or wrote to me referred to a feeling that they could not raise issues with the controller or other people in senior management because of the importance of the 'talent' to Radio 1/1Xtra. | "Those who spoke or wrote to me referred to a feeling that they could not raise issues with the controller or other people in senior management because of the importance of the 'talent' to Radio 1/1Xtra. |
| "There was a feeling that presenters were valued over production staff and that senior management were likely to side with presenters." | "There was a feeling that presenters were valued over production staff and that senior management were likely to side with presenters." |
| Ms White noted there was evidence of senior management "reacting firmly to public complaints concerning Tim Westwood" and that there was also "evidence of their intention to create an environment in which employees would feel able to raise concerns". | Ms White noted there was evidence of senior management "reacting firmly to public complaints concerning Tim Westwood" and that there was also "evidence of their intention to create an environment in which employees would feel able to raise concerns". |
| But she added the "combination of the lack of formality adopted in respect of concerns about workplace misconduct which were raised, and the type of material which was broadcast on air" is likely to have led to an environment in which employees did not feel confident that workplace conduct concerns about the DJ "would be properly addressed." | But she added the "combination of the lack of formality adopted in respect of concerns about workplace misconduct which were raised, and the type of material which was broadcast on air" is likely to have led to an environment in which employees did not feel confident that workplace conduct concerns about the DJ "would be properly addressed." |
| More than 120 individuals contributed to the review and thousands of records from the time were examined, the BBC Board said. | More than 120 individuals contributed to the review and thousands of records from the time were examined, the BBC Board said. |
| A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told the BBC: "A full file of evidence remains with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for their consideration. Detectives from the Met continue to make enquiries, with support from prosecutors." | |
| The report follows a joint investigation by BBC News and The Guardian in 2022 which heard from women who made allegations of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching. | The report follows a joint investigation by BBC News and The Guardian in 2022 which heard from women who made allegations of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching. |
| The allegations revealed by BBC News spanned the period from 1992 to 2017, when the 67-year-old was at the height of his career as a leading hip hop DJ. | The allegations revealed by BBC News spanned the period from 1992 to 2017, when the 67-year-old was at the height of his career as a leading hip hop DJ. |
| Mr Westwood, who has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment, had a gig in Oyo state in Nigeria on Monday. | Mr Westwood, who has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment, had a gig in Oyo state in Nigeria on Monday. |
| The report follows a joint investigation by BBC News and The Guardian in 2022 which heard from women who made allegations of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching. | The report follows a joint investigation by BBC News and The Guardian in 2022 which heard from women who made allegations of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching. |
| Claims were 'appalling' | |
| In December, the Met and the Crime Prosecution Service asked the BBC to pause the publication of the report "to allow for further time to consider any potential impact on the investigation." | In December, the Met and the Crime Prosecution Service asked the BBC to pause the publication of the report "to allow for further time to consider any potential impact on the investigation." |
| The report has been published with redactions on police request. | The report has been published with redactions on police request. |
| In 2022, BBC News broadcast accusations by 18 women of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching by Mr Westwood, in alleged incidents from 1992 to 2017. | In 2022, BBC News broadcast accusations by 18 women of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching by Mr Westwood, in alleged incidents from 1992 to 2017. |
| Following the joint BBC News and Guardian investigation, the BBC's director general Tim Davie said in April 2022 that the claims against the DJ were "appalling". | Following the joint BBC News and Guardian investigation, the BBC's director general Tim Davie said in April 2022 that the claims against the DJ were "appalling". |
| He added he had "seen no evidence of complaints" being made to BBC managers about Westwood's behaviour in the past. | He added he had "seen no evidence of complaints" being made to BBC managers about Westwood's behaviour in the past. |
| Mr Davie was director of audio and music, including BBC Radio 1, at the corporation at the time, between 2008 and 2012. | Mr Davie was director of audio and music, including BBC Radio 1, at the corporation at the time, between 2008 and 2012. |
| Westwood, 67, was a presenter on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra between 1994 and 2013, where he hosted the UK's first nationally broadcast hip-hop show. | Westwood, 67, was a presenter on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra between 1994 and 2013, where he hosted the UK's first nationally broadcast hip-hop show. |
| In July 2022, the BBC revealed it had received six complaints about alleged bullying or sexual misconduct by Mr Westwood, one of which had previously been referred to police. | In July 2022, the BBC revealed it had received six complaints about alleged bullying or sexual misconduct by Mr Westwood, one of which had previously been referred to police. |
| Then in August, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating a man over allegations of of non-recent sexual offences in London in 1982, 1985, 2010 and 2016. | Then in August, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating a man over allegations of of non-recent sexual offences in London in 1982, 1985, 2010 and 2016. |
| A Met spokesperson said on Monday: "A full file of evidence remains with the CPS for their consideration. Detectives from the Met continue to make enquiries, with support from prosecutors." | A Met spokesperson said on Monday: "A full file of evidence remains with the CPS for their consideration. Detectives from the Met continue to make enquiries, with support from prosecutors." |
| The BBC announced details of a review into its workplace culture last year, focusing on "preventing abuse of power and ensuring everyone at the BBC conducts themselves in line with our values". | The BBC announced details of a review into its workplace culture last year, focusing on "preventing abuse of power and ensuring everyone at the BBC conducts themselves in line with our values". |
| The corporation announced the review in the wake of revelations about Huw Edwards, formerly its most senior news presenter, who committed offences involving child abuse images. | The corporation announced the review in the wake of revelations about Huw Edwards, formerly its most senior news presenter, who committed offences involving child abuse images. |
| It's expected to be published later this year. | It's expected to be published later this year. |