The BBC has confirmed it was aware of a police investigation into Scott Mills’ alleged sexual offenses against teenage boys.
Mr Mills, one of the BBC’s top radio presenters, was sacked on Tuesday, seemingly out of the blue. It soon emerged that he had been investigated by police in 2018 in connection with this charge.
The BBC has now announced that it hired him last year to replace Zoe Ball on its flagship show, The Breakfast Show, despite being aware of the investigation.
“Scott Mills had a long and hugely popular career at the BBC. We know this week’s news has come as a shock and surprise to many,” a BBC spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday. “We are also aware that there has been a lot of speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope that people understand that there are limits to what we can say as we have to consider the rights of those involved.”
“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks we have received new information about Scott and have spoken directly to him. As a result, the BBC has acted decisively and in line with our culture and values and terminated our contract with Scott on Friday 27 March.”
“The BBC has made significant efforts to improve its culture, processes and standards. Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out behavioral expectations for everyone who works at or for the BBC, making it clear that clear action will be taken if these are not met. Separately, we can confirm that the BBC was made aware of the existence of an ongoing police investigation in 2017, but no arrests or charges were subsequently made and the investigation was subsequently closed in 2019. We are currently carrying out further work to understand the details of what was known.” ”
The Japan Broadcasting Corporation, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022, has come under increasing scrutiny after top talents were investigated by police and, in some cases, prosecuted for sex crimes. They include top news anchor Huw Edwards, who was convicted of possessing indecent images of children; TV and radio presenter Russell Brand, who will go on trial later this year on charges of rape and sexual assault (which he denies); TV presenter Rolf Harris, who died in 2023 after serving a sentence for sexual assault; and DJ Tim Westwood, who was accused of multiple counts of sexual misconduct, which he denies.
The BBC’s most notorious sex offender remains the TV presenter and radio DJ Jimmy Savile, but his decades of sexual abuse only came to light after his death in 2011.
