Met police ask BBC to pause publication of report
The Metropolitan Police has asked the BBC to “pause” the publication of a report on the corporation’s knowledge of the alleged conduct of former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.
In 2022, BBC News aired allegations from 18 women of predatory and unwanted sexual behavior and touching by Tim Westwood, which allegedly occurred between 1992 and 2017.
Mr Westwood has denied the allegations of misconduct.
A spokesman for the Met said: “While consultations with the CPS are ongoing, we have asked the BBC to pause publication of their report to allow more time to consider any potential impact on the investigation.”
The BBC said it would not comment on the matter.
Mr Westwood is believed to have been discreetly interviewed by the Metropolitan Police four times since the joint BBC News and Guardian investigation aired.
The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 1982 and 2016, police said in a statement.
Detectives said they interviewed a man in his 60s last year under caution. No arrests have been made.
The BBC review, led by Gemma White KC, was commissioned by the BBC to investigate Mr Westwood’s employment at the broadcaster.
The review was initially thought to take about six months.
A freedom of information request made by BBC News earlier this year revealed that the BBC has spent more than £3 million on censorship so far.
Last month, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it had made recommendations to the BBC that parts of the report “could interfere with the course of justice if published”.
Police also confirmed that a file of evidence had been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service but investigations were continuing.
It said the investigation was “a complex and sensitive matter” and their “absolute priority is to maintain the integrity of our investigation and to support and maintain the confidence of potential victims”.
Tim Westwood has withdrawn from the 2022 Captial Xtra show.
The 67-year-old continues to perform across the country, despite calls from some campaigners for nightclubs not to host him since the allegations emerged.
He also performs frequently in West Africa.
