A BBC report into the conduct of former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood has been placed on maintain on the request of the Metropolitan Police.
The report into what the company knew in regards to the veteran hip-hop DJ’s alleged behaviour was commissioned in 2022 and was initially anticipated to be revealed earlier than Christmas final yr.
Westwood faces historic sexual abuse allegations from a number of ladies.
The 67-year-old “strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour”.
The Met Police have submitted a “file of evidence” to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relating to allegations on the top of his profession and prosecutors are contemplating whether or not to convey prices towards him.
In July, the BBC mentioned the unbiased inquiry had been accomplished however couldn’t be revealed due to an “ongoing police investigation”.
On Thursday, a BBC spokesman mentioned: “The police have requested that the BBC pause its intended publication of the report.
“That is to permit the investigating authorities additional time to think about the influence of the publication of the report on the continued investigation.
“We have discussed the police’s request with Gemma White KC and she has agreed that it is appropriate to pause publication in these circumstances.
“The BBC has at all times been clear that it intends to publish Gemma White KC’s report.
“We recognise that this pause to publication will be disappointing, particularly to those who came forward to participate in the review and to whom we are very grateful.
“Nevertheless, we should proceed to make sure that any steps we take, together with in relation to publication of the report, don’t negatively influence any felony course of.
“We continue to correspond with the investigating authorities, and we will provide a further update regarding report publication when there is sufficient clarity to do so.”
A Met Police spokesman mentioned: “While consultation with the CPS is ongoing, we have asked the BBC to pause the publication of its report to allow for further time to consider any potential impact on the investigation.”
Westwood has been interviewed at the least 3 times underneath warning by the drive.
Scotland Yard beforehand mentioned it’s investigating accusations of offences alleged to have occurred between 1982 and 2016.
Westwood started his profession on native radio earlier than becoming a member of Capital Radio in London.
He then moved to the BBC and left Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra after practically 20 years in 2013.
He hosted an everyday Saturday present on Capital Xtra, the place he was known as “The Big Dawg”, earlier than he left the corporate in 2022.
