The lawyer in command of the BBC‘s unbiased inquiry investigating the conduct of Tim Westwood throughout his time on the company, has prolonged the deadline for proof.
The inquiry was initially launched in August and is about to final six months.
At the time the BBC acknowledged that six allegations of bullying and sexual misconduct have been acquired towards the previous Radio 1 DJ, one in all which was handed over to police. That was regardless of the company’s Director General Tim Davie saying in a press release made again in April that “no evidence of complaints” had been discovered.
Four extra allegations in 1982, 1985, 2010 and 2016 additionally got here to gentle with the Met confirming to the company it was investigating a person over the brand new claims.
Today (November 10), Barrister Gemma White, who was appointed by the BBC board in August following an inside overview, introduced an extension for data to December 2 through Sky News.
“It has been just over a month since the BBC published my call for evidence for the review and I want to thank everyone who has come forward with information,” she mentioned.
“Some of you’ve got informed me how troublesome it has been so that you can take the choice to contact me. I perceive that talking about delicate issues could be painful and there are various issues that you’ve wanted to contemplate earlier than doing so.
“Others who’ve written or spoken to me have questioned whether or not the knowledge they must contribute is related, or sufficiently necessary – and my reply to that’s, merely, sure. I’ve been, and stay, eager to listen to from everybody who has something to say to me.
“It is important to me that I hear from everyone who wishes to speak and I have therefore decided to extend the period for people to get in touch.”
The BBC desires to incorporate Westwood’s different employers, MTV and Global – proprietor of Capital Xtra, which the DJ joined after leaving the company.
It can even look at whether or not considerations about his behaviour have been a consider his departure from the BBC in 2013.
At the tip of April, sexual assault allegations have been made towards the previous Radio 1 DJ by a number of ladies, main him to step down from his Capital Xtra radio present.
Westwood was accused of opportunistic and predatory sexual behaviour in addition to situations of undesirable touching in incidents which might be mentioned to have occurred between 1992 and 2017. The accusations got here to gentle in a joint investigation from The Guardian and BBC News, printed on April 26.
Further allegations have been raised by a girl who says they’d intercourse a number of instances beginning when she was 14. Westwood denies all allegations.
For assist, recommendation or extra data relating to sexual harassment, assault and rape within the UK, go to the Rape Crisis charity web site. In the US, go to RAINN.