BBC director normal Tim Davie has mentioned the allegations made towards Tim Westwood are “stunning” and the claims made by the ladies are “highly effective and appalling”, however he has seen “no proof of complaints” from the DJ’s time on the company.
The veteran hip hop DJ and radio presenter, who left BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2013 after practically 20 years, has been accused of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by a number of girls.
A consultant mentioned Westwood “strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing”.
In allegations made to the BBC and the Guardian, Westwood, 64, is alleged to have misused his place within the music business to reap the benefits of seven girls who had been of their late teenagers or early 20s on the time.
The allegations had been detailed in a BBC Three documentary, Tim Westwood: Abuse of Energy, which aired on Tuesday night.
Requested on the Voice of the Listener & Viewer spring convention concerning the chance that complaints to the BBC about Westwood had been ignored due a scarcity of variety, Davie mentioned of the documentary: “It's stunning, and the testimony of the ladies is highly effective and appalling.
“By the way in which, I credit score the BBC and Guardian groups for going after the story. I feel that that’s completely what we ought to be doing.
“I’ve seen no proof of complaints. I’ve requested and we checked out our information and we’ve seen no proof.”
He added: “I do suppose now we’re able the place we’re very clear on tradition, which is each grievance must be taken severely. If one thing like this had been raised or something comes up, we examine it absolutely. And I'd hope we had been doing that in that point as effectively.
“I'd merely say if individuals have proof the place issues weren’t adopted up, or they've concern on this space, deliver it to us. We need to examine it.”
He continued: “The one factor I do know is it's important to have a look at your self and say: ‘Did I do know something?’ and on this case, I’ve seen no proof that I did, however we are going to comply with up something and we’ll dig and dig and dig.
“It’s stunning to see these testimonies. However extra usually, if individuals have gotten proof of wrongdoing, completely, we have to deliver it ahead.
“A really inclusive workforce signifies that individuals really feel assured to talk up, speak, elevate issues, there’s no worry within the setting. I feel all companies must work actually onerous to create that setting.
“Individuals know I’m captivated with it and I hope on the BBC all of the work we’re doing on values, when you’re a senior chief now you’re assessed on: do you facilitate getting variety of view, how completely satisfied your workers are.
“That is all important to create an setting the place it turns into fully unacceptable to behave in sure methods. But additionally, issues get raised shortly and handled, there must be a belief.”
Requested concerning the privileges that include being expertise on the BBC and if the company has a particular duty to be proactive, Davie mentioned: “I feel we're doing issues proactively. And I feel any setting by which energy might be abused is one it's important to fear about.
“This can be a bizarre enterprise and also you’ve acquired the facility of the expertise typically on the floor degree, frontline, then you definitely’ve acquired individuals like myself as executives, however all organisations have energy residing elsewhere and there’s nothing worse in life than abuse of energy.
“It’s about values, about setting the appropriate tradition, it’s about placing the appropriate leaders in place. I feel we’ve had this throughout all of the business, the place it's worthwhile to be completely clear that is fully unacceptable, and in addition create a really trusted course of when it comes to whistleblowing.
“That's one thing we’re engaged on, I’m very vocal on it. The processes are good, we now have to maintain constructing confidence.”
Three girls have accused the DJ of opportunistic and predatory sexual behaviour, whereas 4 others allege they had been groped by him at occasions, in accordance with the Guardian.
A press release from Westwood’s consultant to the PA information company on Tuesday mentioned: “Tim Westwood strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
“In a profession that has spanned 40 years, there have by no means been any complaints made towards him formally or unofficially.
“Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing.”
Westwood was on account of seem at plenty of occasions over the following month however the listings have disappeared from his web site.
An look on the Empire in Bedford, which was on account of happen on April 29, has been scrapped and an announcement from his administration shared on Instagram says: “In mild of the allegations, this occasion has been cancelled.
“Tim Westwood denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
“Apologies for inconvenience this will trigger to your financial institution vacation weekend.”
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