Jeremy Vine has criticised the BBC's decision to sack Radio 2 colleague Scott Mills, describing it as 'unfair' and questioning why action was taken despite no criminal charges. Speaking on his Radio 2 show on Tuesday, Vine said he was 'confused' by the broadcaster's dismissal of Mills, who was removed from his breakfast show last Tuesday and told over the weekend that his contract had been terminated.
The BBC has said only that the decision related to 'personal conduct'. It follows reports that Mills, 53, was investigated by police in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16, but no charges were brought. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the investigation began in December 2016 and related to alleged offences between 1997 and 2000; a file was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which concluded there was insufficient evidence, and the case was closed in May 2019.
Vine suggested the BBC may be acting more decisively following criticism over past scandals, particularly the Huw Edwards case. 'There is a thought that the BBC wishes it had acted earlier in other cases and is now taking a different approach,' he said, adding that such a shift could feel 'unfair' if applied inconsistently. He questioned: 'There is a thought here that what the BBC has done has sacked Huw Edwards, they wish they got in earlier with Huw and they decided to treat Scott how they wish they'd treated Huw. Which would be a bit unfair would it not?'
During the programme, BBC media editor Katie Razzall said she had put questions to the corporation about what it knew and when, particularly regarding the earlier police investigation. The sacking has prompted strong reaction within the BBC, with reports of shock among staff. Colleagues have described Mills as 'kind', 'generous' and 'hugely popular'. Reverend Steve Chalke, a friend of Mills, said there was a 'sense of grief, loss and shock', while fellow Radio 2 presenter Dermot O'Leary called the decision 'a complete shock to everybody'.
