Scott Mills Controversy Grows: BBC Acknowledges 2017 Police Investigation Into Presenter
The BBC has confirmed its awareness of a police investigation involving Scott Mills, a prominent radio presenter, dating back to 2017.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the BBC disclosed that Mills was the subject of an investigation concerning allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. The case was closed in 2019 when prosecutors deemed there to be insufficient evidence to pursue charges. Following recent developments, Mills was terminated from his position at the BBC.
A spokesperson for the BBC remarked, “Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC; he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.” The spokesperson acknowledged the speculation surrounding the situation, emphasizing that the organization must be mindful of the rights of those involved.
The BBC clarified that new information regarding Mills had emerged in recent weeks, prompting a direct conversation with him. As a result, the BBC took decisive action and terminated his contract on March 27.
Furthermore, the BBC affirmed its commitment to enhancing its culture and standards following a recent independent review. The review established clear behavioral expectations for all associated with the organization and outlined that action would be taken if these standards were not met.
The statement concluded by reaffirming that the BBC was informed in 2017 about the ongoing police investigation, which was later closed in 2019 without any arrests or charges. The organization is currently working to gain a clearer understanding of what information was known at the time.
More follows.
