BBC probe into former DJ has price greater than £3million

The BBC has already spent more than £3 million on a nearly two-year investigation into alleged misconduct by former DJ Tim Westwood – in a review that was expected to take six months.

An external review is probing what the BBC knew about ‘allegations or concerns about misconduct’ involving the ex-Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter, as well as how it responded to these complaints.

But a freedom of information request submitted by BBC News has uncovered that the broadcaster has already spent £3.1 million on the review.

This is more than double the £1.4 million that the corporation is thought to have spent on the high-profile Dyson report into the behaviour of rogue reporter Martin Bashir.

A BBC insider today described the cost of the Westwood review as ‘staggering’.

Former Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter Tim Westwood has been being investgiated by the BBC over allegations of misconduct

Aa freedom of information request submitted by BBC News has uncovered that the broadcaster has already spent £3.1 million on the review. The DJ pictured in 2002

The BBC external review is looking at what was known about concerns over the DJ’s conduct during his almost 20 years there

Mr Westwood has denied the allegations of misconduct, saying: ‘It’s all false allegations.’

He has been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct in a series of incidents that took place between 1992 and 2017, which came to light as part of a joint investigation between the BBC and The Guardian.

It was originally believed that the BBC probe into Westwood would take six months, when it was launched in August 2022.

But the findings have still not been announced about 22 months later.

The BBC external review, which is being led by KC, Gemma White, is too look at what was known about concerns over the DJ’s conduct during his almost 20 years there.

Previously published ‘terms of reference’ for the review said the report would set out an account of the ‘allegations or concerns about the misconduct of Mr Westwood during the period of his work for the BBC’. This was ‘whether or not the concerns or allegations were raised at the time’.

It is looking at if these allegations or concerns were brought to the attention of the BBC, or people employed or associated with the corporation, and how and when this had happened.

The probe will look at any action taken by the corporation in response to claims or concerns and analyse the adequacy of ‘any such response’ and identifying any examples where the response was ‘inadequate’.

It will also conclude whether concerns about his behaviour were a factor in the BBC’s decision ‘not to renew Mr Westwood’s engagement in 2013’.

The presenter has been accused by several women of predatory and sexual behaviour. He is facing allegations he abused his position in the business.

According to BBC News, some of the women claim they were under 18 when they came into contact with the DJ, with one saying she was just 14 when he had sex with her for the first time.

Mr Westwood interviewing US rapper Cardi B on Capital Xtra. He stepped down form his presenting role in April 2022

The DJ’s contract was not renewed by the BBC in 2013 and the investigation is looking into whether Mr Westwood’s behaviour was a factor in that decision

But Westwood has strenuously denied the allegations.

Last year a video was posted on social media, where he was asked about the claims being made about him.

He said: ‘It’s all false allegations. It’s all false allegations. I’ve never done that, period. They’re all false allegations. I will prove that as soon as I get my opportunity and trust me, I am ready.’

It is thought that Mr Westwood has been interviewed four times under caution by the Metropolitan Police following the allegations.

People who were in senior positions at the BBC are likely to be among the many people that have been interviewed for the review.

The current director-general Tim Davie was director of audio and music at the corporation, which included oversight of Radio 1, between 2008 and 2012. Mr Westwood left the BBC in 2013.

It is reported that 50,000 documents at the BBC have been asked for by the BBC external investigation team. BBC News said it understood that ‘historical text messages’ sent to Radio 1 are being looked into.

The £3.1 million cost so far is said to include invoices which have yet to be paid, as well as costs built up by the review itself and other related costs.

In April last year a confidential hotline was opened for period of time. At the time of the hotline announcement, Ms White indicated she expected to report to the BBC in ‘late June or early July 2023’. It was suggested that the extra time was required to review ‘documents and information’.

A BBC insider said: ‘The cost of it is staggering. What on earth have they spent £3 million on? And why is it taking so long.’

Mr Westwood previously stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra in April 2022.

The BBC said: ‘This is an extremely important ongoing process, led by an independent reviewer.

‘As we have said from the beginning, it is essential we fully understand what was known about concerns regarding Tim Westwood’s conduct during his time with the BBC and this remains the priority.’