The BBC has apologised after admitting it failed to properly follow up allegations of inappropriate communications involving Scott Mills that were raised by a freelance journalist last year. The broadcaster acknowledged it should have asked further questions when approached in May 2025 but did not respond at the time.
Mills was dismissed with immediate effect on Monday over his personal conduct, with reports linking the sacking to a historical police investigation into serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that in December 2016 it began an investigation into allegations of offences between 1997 and 2000, and a man in his 40s was questioned under caution in July 2018. The case was closed in May 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge.
The journalist’s query to the BBC asked whether it had ever received any formal or informal complaints about Mills relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment, and whether any internal investigation had been conducted. A BBC spokesperson 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.”
Mills, 53, had hosted BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show since January 2025, building an audience of 6.5 million listeners. Before that, he replaced Steve Wright on the afternoon slot in 2022, having previously worked on Radio 1 and Radio 5 Live. Following his dismissal, the charity Neuroblastoma UK announced it had parted ways with him as a patron. The BBC said it would not comment on individual matters, stating: “Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”
The case adds to a series of controversies involving leading BBC figures, as the corporation has pledged to create a culture of accountability after allegations against presenters such as Huw Edwards and Tim Westwood.
