Police Investigation into Scott Mills Concludes Without Charges
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that a serious sexual offence investigation involving former BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host Scott Mills has been closed due to insufficient evidence. The 53-year-old DJ was questioned under caution in July 2018 regarding allegations relating to incidents reported to have occurred between 1997 and 2000, when the complainant was a teenage boy.
BBC Sacking Precedes Revelation of Police Probe
Mills was abruptly removed from his Radio 2 presenting duties last week before the BBC officially announced his termination on Monday, citing matters related to his "personal conduct." His final broadcast aired on Tuesday, March 24, where he signed off with the words: "See you tomorrow." The timing and circumstances of his dismissal have raised questions about whether the BBC was aware of the police investigation at the time.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson provided detailed clarification: "In December 2016, the Met initiated an investigation following a referral from another police force. The inquiry concerned allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy, reportedly taking place between 1997 and 2000. As part of these inquiries, a man in his 40s at the time of interview was questioned under caution in July 2018."
CPS Review Determines Evidential Threshold Not Met
The police submitted a full file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which subsequently determined that the evidential threshold required to bring criminal charges had not been met. Based on this advice, the investigation was formally closed in May 2019. Standard police protocol means individuals under investigation are not publicly identified unless charges are brought.
The allegations relate to a period when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1, though it remains unclear whether BBC management were informed about the police investigation during that time. The connection between his recent sacking and the historical police probe has not been officially confirmed by either the BBC or police authorities.
BBC Management Communicates Sudden Departure to Staff
In an internal email sent to BBC staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBC's Director of Music, acknowledged the sudden nature of Mills' departure. "I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC," she wrote. "I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years."
Clarke added that she would update staff about future programming plans when possible, but emphasized she would not be providing further details at that time. The BBC has maintained its position of not commenting on individual matters, confirming only that Mills is "no longer contracted to work with the BBC."
News of Mills' dismissal led the noon bulletin on BBC Radio 2 on Monday, with the broadcaster issuing a news alert on Tuesday regarding the closed police investigation. Mills himself has been contacted for comment regarding these developments, but no public statement has been released at this time.
