BBC Knew of Police Investigation into Scott Mills in 2018, Reports Reveal
BBC bosses were reportedly aware that former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills had been questioned by police in 2018, more than seven years before his contract was terminated this week. According to reports, the corporation decided not to take him off air at the time, and the police case was later dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Details of the Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Mills, aged 53, in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. Mills was questioned under caution by officers in July 2018, and it is reported that he denied the claims and informed the BBC. The Sun newspaper stated that the allegations were first reported by a third party to Hampshire Police in 2012, with details later passed to the Met's Operation Winter Key investigation.
The Met confirmed that the investigation was closed in May 2019 after advice from the Crown Prosecution Service indicated that the evidential threshold for charges had not been met. The police do not identify individuals under investigation pre-charge.
Recent Sacking and New Information
On Monday, the BBC revealed it had terminated Mills' contract just days after taking him off air last week. The Mirror reported that this action came after the BBC received new claims relating to the same complainant, which differ from the allegations at the centre of the original police probe. Mills last hosted Radio 2's Breakfast Show on Tuesday, March 24, signing off with "see you tomorrow" before being replaced by Gary Davies.
In an email to staff, Lorna Clarke, the BBC's director of music, acknowledged that the news was "sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock." Mills has been contacted for comment, but the BBC stated it would not comment beyond confirming he is no longer contracted.
Comparisons and Internal Reactions
Colleagues at the station reacted with shock at Mills' sacking. Presenter Jeremy Vine drew a comparison with how the BBC handled Huw Edwards, who was given a suspended jail sentence after admitting making indecent images of children. The corporation was informed of Edwards' arrest in November 2023 but continued to employ him until his resignation in April 2024 on medical advice.
Vine suggested on Tuesday that BBC bosses might have acted swiftly against Mills because they "decided to treat Scott as they wish they treated Huw, which would be a bit unfair, would it not?" This highlights ongoing scrutiny of the BBC's internal protocols and decision-making processes in such cases.
BBC Apology for Handling of Separate Allegation
The BBC has also issued an apology for not following up after a separate allegation of "inappropriate communications" by Mills was raised by a journalist last year. In a statement, the corporation said: "We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen."
The statement added: "More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us." This admission points to potential lapses in the BBC's internal procedures for addressing misconduct allegations, raising questions about accountability and transparency within the organisation.
