The BBC should have further explored issues that were being raised about radio DJ Tim Westwood, board member Sir Nicholas Serota said following an internal review into allegations of sexual misconduct.
An independent reviewer, Gemma White QC, has now been appointed by the BBC to “fully examine what was known about concerns regarding Tim Westwood’s conduct during his time with the BBC”, the corporation has said.
The corporation has also said it is in contact with the Metropolitan Police, and that as part of the “ongoing work any relevant information will be passed to them”.
The radio DJ and TV presenter, now aged 64, was first accused of sexual assaults in April by seven women took part in a BBC documentary called Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power.
Later, allegations from another 10 women were reported. Police began assessing more reports of alleged sexual assaults in London, Essex and Hertfordshire.
Now cops have revealed they are investigating a number of sexual assault allegations that date back to 1982.
The BBC board’s senior independent director Serota, who led the internal review, said a broader review was now necessary with new allegations and issues emerging as time passes.
She said: “I am grateful to the BBC’s investigations team for the work they have done.
“It is an important piece of work, but I see it as a first step. New allegations and issues are emerging as time passes and more people are prepared to come forward. For this reason the work must continue.
“In light of the issues identified by the internal review, I have asked, on behalf of the BBC Board, that a broader review is now conducted and a full report is produced.
“It is vital that this work is able to command the full confidence of those who have, or may wish, to come forward, as well as the wider public, and it is for that reason the BBC Board believes there should be independent oversight. I have therefore asked Gemma White QC to lead this work."
She added: “I have asked the next stage of this work be completed within the next six months. However, I want to be clear this is not a hard deadline and if new issues emerge, then time will be made available to properly explore them. Our main objective must be to discover the facts.
“In light of the BBC’s internal review, I believe that there may have been occasions in the past when the BBC should have further explored issues that were being raised."
The BBC’s broader review of Westwood’s conduct during his 20 years at the broadcaster will look at whether concerns about his behaviour affected the decision not to renew his contract past September 2013.
The initial report said: “It will also look at the question of whether concerns about Tim Westwood’s conduct were involved in the decision by the BBC not to renew Tim Westwood’s engagement in 2013.”
Westwood is best known for presenting the Radio 1 rap show, the MTV show Pimp My Ride UK, 1Xtra and on Capital Radio.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police, which did not name the DJ, read: "Detectives from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime continue to investigate four reports relating to allegations of non-recent sexual offences allegedly committed by a man.
"The offences are alleged to have occurred in London in 1982, 1985, 2010 and 2016.
"There have been no arrests, enquiries continue.
"We would appeal to anyone who has been the victim of sexual crime to contact police, your complaint will be thoroughly investigated and you will be supported by specialist officers."
