BBC Director General Explains Scott Mills Dismissal Decision
Outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie has informed BBC employees that it became "very clear" that former Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills needed to be terminated after the corporation received new information. Davie, who departed the BBC today following nearly six years as director general, made these comments during an all-staff telephone call.
Allegations and Police Investigation Surface
Scott Mills, the 53-year-old former Radio 2 presenter, was dismissed by the BBC on March 27 after the broadcaster became aware of allegations concerning his "personal conduct." Subsequent revelations indicate that the Metropolitan Police initiated an investigation into Mills in December 2016 regarding allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under the age of 16.
During the staff call, Davie explained that the BBC attempted to act fairly when determining how to address the Mills situation. "It was new information quite recently that we received that made it very clear about the decision we had to make," Davie reportedly stated to BBC staff members.
Timeline of Awareness and Corporate Response
When questioned by BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent about when the BBC first learned of the allegations, Davie directed staff to review a previous corporate statement. That statement indicated that the BBC became aware of the allegation in 2017, but that more recent information had emerged which ultimately led to Mills' dismissal.
"I think people need to look at the statement; we made [it] as clear as we can," Davie emphasized. "We obviously have to be sensitive when you've got personal information, and we work carefully through it, but the statement is really clear."
Organizational Culture and Leadership Transition
Davie was further questioned about whether staff culture at the BBC had transformed during his tenure as director general. He responded that while the culture would never be "fully fixed," it was indeed evolving. "I think if you come in and behave in a way that some of this industry saw 20 years ago, it just would not be acceptable; you want to create an environment where it's just ludicrous to do that," Davie remarked.
Tim Davie will be succeeded by Rhodri Talfan Davies as interim BBC leader for the next six weeks, after which former Google executive Matt Brittin will assume the director general position on a permanent basis.
Scott Mills' Legal Response and Statement
Meanwhile, Scott Mills has issued his own statement through legal representatives, acknowledging the complaints lodged against him. "The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation," the statement began. "In response to this, the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me."
The statement continued: "An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018." Mills further noted that evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which "determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges."
Mills concluded his statement by expressing gratitude: "I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues."
