DJ Tim Westwood has stepped down from his Capital Xtra show until further notice following allegations of sexual misconduct made by multiple women. The station's owner, Global, confirmed the decision, saying the DJ and the station were parting ways after nine years.
The allegations emerged from a joint investigation by the Guardian and BBC News, in which seven women accused Westwood of misusing his position in the music industry to take advantage of them. Three women alleged opportunistic and predatory sexual behaviour, while four others said they were groped by him at events. The incidents are said to have occurred between 1992 and 2017, with the women all in their late teens or early twenties at the time.
Westwood has strenuously denied all the allegations. A spokesperson said they were completely false and denied in their entirety, adding that in a 40-year career there had never been any official or unofficial complaints against him. At least three venues have cancelled appearances by the DJ since the allegations were published.
BBC director general Tim Davie described the claims as “shocking and appalling”, urging anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to come forward. He said the BBC had seen no evidence of complaints against Westwood during his 20-year tenure at the corporation, but promised any new information would be investigated fully.
One of the women who spoke to the Guardian and BBC expressed relief that the allegations were being taken seriously. Another criticised the BBC for affording Westwood status and celebrity, which she believed enabled his behaviour. She said she was disappointed but not surprised by social media criticism of the women who came forward.
