BBC Reveals Knowledge of 2017 Scott Mills Police Probe, Cites New Information for Sacking
The BBC has publicly acknowledged that it was aware of a police investigation into DJ Scott Mills back in 2017. However, the corporation insists it only acted decisively to terminate his contracts after obtaining "new information" in the weeks leading up to his dismissal.
New Information Triggers Decisive Action
A BBC spokesperson explained the timeline, stating that while Mills had a long and popular career at the BBC, recent developments necessitated immediate action. "In recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him," the spokesperson said. "As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values, and terminated his contracts on Friday March 27."
The corporation emphasized its commitment to maintaining high standards, referencing an independent culture review from last year that established clear behavioural expectations. It confirmed that the BBC was informed in 2017 about an ongoing police investigation into Mills, which was subsequently closed in 2019 without any arrest or charges being made.
Background of the Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation in 2016 into allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16, with incidents alleged to have occurred between 1997 and 2000. Mills was questioned under caution in July 2018, and reports indicate he denied the claims at that time while informing the BBC.
BBC bosses reportedly decided not to take Mills off air during the investigation. The case was eventually dropped in May 2019 due to insufficient evidence, with the Crown Prosecution Service advising that the evidential threshold for charges had not been met.
Internal Reactions and Comparisons
Colleagues at BBC Radio 2 expressed shock at the sudden sacking. Presenter Jeremy Vine drew comparisons with how the BBC handled the case of Huw Edwards, who was given a suspended jail sentence after admitting to making indecent images of children. The corporation continued to employ Edwards after his arrest in November 2023 until his resignation in April 2024.
Vine suggested there might be an element of retrospective application of standards, questioning whether BBC bosses were treating Mills as they wished they had treated Edwards. In an email to staff, Lorna Clarke, the BBC's director of music, acknowledged the news was "sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock."
Additional Oversights and Consequences
The BBC has also issued an apology for failing to follow up on a separate allegation of "inappropriate communications" by Mills that was raised by a journalist in 2025. The corporation admitted it should have asked further questions and is investigating why this did not happen.
In a further development, children's cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK announced it has decided to "part ways" with Mills, who had been a patron since 2021. The charity stated that following his dismissal from the BBC, Mills is no longer a patron.
The BBC maintains it will not comment further on individual matters, confirming only that Mills is no longer contracted to work with the corporation. The organisation says it is doing more work to understand exactly what was known internally during the 2017 investigation period.
