The Guardian reported today that...
extract
Accusations of sexual misconduct levelled at Tim Westwood while he was working for the BBC have left the broadcaster facing yet another reckoning over whether its safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures are trusted by its staff.
Out of the seven women who made claims about the DJ’s behaviour, five say it took place while Westwood was working for the national broadcaster.
Although none of the allegations relate to incidents that took place on BBC premises, several women suggest the presenter used his position as the highly influential host of the Radio 1 Rap Show to approach them. [Bold mine]
(Continues)
The revelations of the investigation into Westwood’s behaviour also pose questions for commercial media company Global, which has provided Westwood with a show on its Capital Xtra for the last nine years.
In 2020 the media company was approached about concerns raised by anonymous accounts on social media but – accompanied by denials from the presenter – backed him for another two years, before dropping the host on Wednesday. [bold mine]
Westwood has strenuously denied all the allegations against him. A spokesperson for him said: “In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him officially or unofficially. Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.”
Read more at Tim Westwood Sexual Misconduct Claims Put BBC Safeguarding Under Fresh Scrutiny
Seven women. Seven. That's a lot, and yet, based on past reports on the behaviour of other men, also the kind of number that turns out to be the very small tip of a very large iceberg.
Either some complaints got mysteriously lost down the back of the sofa, or the BBC's whistleblowing procedure is so meaningless, no-one has ever dared make a complaint.
Or maybe both!
In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him officially or unofficially. Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.”
So the time Capital Xtra were "approached about concerns" expressed on social media doesn't count then? Good to know.