BBC knew about Scott Mills probe in 2017 but ‘new information’ led to sacking

The BBC knew about a police investigation into DJ Scott Mills in 2017, the corporation admitted, but said it “acted decisively” after receiving “new information” in the weeks prior to his sacking.

The corporation revealed it had terminated the BBC Radio 2 presenter’s contracts on Friday just days after taking him off air, but has now said this followed new information it received in recent weeks.

A BBC spokesperson said: “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.

“We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.

“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him. As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values, and terminated his contracts on Friday March 27.”

The BBC added: “Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made. We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.”

The BBC said it “made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards”, and added that it set out “behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC” and was “clear action would be taken” if they were not met last year, following an independent culture review.

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000.

Mills was questioned under caution by officers in July 2018 and The Sun has reported Mills denied the claims at the time and informed the BBC.

The newspaper said BBC bosses decided not to take the then Radio 1 presenter off air at the time and the case was later dropped in May 2019 due to lack of evidence.

Hampshire Police say the sexual offences allegations were first reported by a third party in 2016 and that the force logged the details and passed on information to the Met for investigation.

The Met, which does not identify people under investigation pre-charge, said it closed its investigation in May 2019 following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service that “the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges”.

Mills last hosted Radio 2’s Breakfast Show on Tuesday March 24 and signed off with “see you tomorrow”, before being replaced by Gary Davies.

Colleagues at the station reacted with shock at the sacking, with presenter Jeremy Vine drawing a comparison with how the BBC dealt with Huw Edwards, who was given a suspended jail sentence after admitting making indecent images of children.

The corporation was informed that Edwards had been arrested in November 2023 but continued to employ the veteran broadcaster until April 2024, when he resigned on medical advice.

Vine said on Tuesday there was a suggestion BBC bosses had acted swiftly against Mills because they “decided to treat Scott as they wish they treated Huw, which would be a bit unfair, would it not?”

In an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, acknowledged the news was “sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock”.

Mills has been contacted for comment.

The BBC said it would not comment beyond an earlier statement which said: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”

The corporation has also issued an apology for not following up after a separate allegation of “inappropriate communications” by Mills was raised by a journalist last year.

The BBC said: “We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.

“More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us.”

It has also been announced that children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK has decided to “part ways” with Mills, who had been a patron since 2021.

A statement from the charity said: “Following his dismissal from the BBC, Neuroblastoma UK have taken the decision to part ways with Scott Mills and he is no longer a patron of our charity.”