Accusations of sexual misconduct against Tim Westwood while he worked for the BBC have prompted the broadcaster to reconsider whether its employees trust protection procedures and report irregularities.
Of the seven women who made allegations about the DJ’s behavior, five say it happened while Westwood was working for national television.
Although none of the allegations relate to incidents at the BBC, several women have suggested that the presenter used his position as a highly influential presenter on the Radio 1 Rap show to address them.
However, none of the people filed a formal complaint with the TV operator about his behavior.
As a result, just as BBC Director-General Tim Davey is trying to modernize the television station, he is once again in need of looking back.
Awkward for him, Davey was in charge of the BBC’s radio department between 2008 and 2012, when Westwood was nearing the end of his 20-year stay with the TV operator – and when some of the alleged incidents occurred.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Davey said the BBC had not found any records of official complaints about the host’s behavior – although it now called on everyone to express their concerns.
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He said that the problem with media organizations is the way in which power can be found in both top executives and the people on the air who present the production: “All organizations have power in different places and there is nothing more bad in life from abuse of power. “
Davey has already gained a lot of experience in dealing with problems that signal irregularities in the BBC, after being briefly acting CEO in 2012 during the crisis caused by the decision to cancel an investigation that would could reveal Jimmy Saville as one of Britain’s most prolific pedophiles.
Last year, after the scandal over how Martin Bashir used forged financial records to interview Diana, Princess of Wales, he reiterated his emphasis on strengthening the corporation’s protection against irregularities and promised to create a work culture in which employees feel can officially register their concerns.
The findings of the Westwood Behavior Investigation also raise questions about the commercial media company Global, which has been providing Westwood with a broadcast of its Capital Xtra for the past nine years.
In 2020, the media company was contacted for concerns expressed by anonymous social media accounts, but – accompanied by refusals from the presenter – supported him for another two years before leaving the presenter on Wednesday.
Westwood categorically denied all charges against him. A spokesman said: “In his 40-year career, there have never been any complaints against him, officially or unofficially. Tim Westwood categorically rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.
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