BBC probe into alleged misconduct by former DJ Tim Westwood has cost corporation more than £3million so far

The BBC has already spent more than £3 million on a nearly two-year investigation into alleged misconduct by former DJ Tim Westwood – in a review expected to last only six months.

An external investigation is looking into what the BBC knew about “allegations or concerns about misconduct” involving the ex-Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter, and how the BBC responded to these complaints.

But a Freedom of Information request filed by BBC News has revealed that the broadcaster has already spent £3.1 million on the review.

This is more than double the £1.4 million the company is said to have spent on the high-profile Dyson report into the conduct of a rogue reporter. Martin Bashir.

A BBC insider today described the cost of the Westwood review as ‘mind-boggling’.

Former Radio 1 and 1Xtra presenter Tim Westwood has been investigated by the BBC over allegations of misconduct

A Freedom of Information request filed by BBC News has revealed that the broadcaster has already spent £3.1 million on the review. The DJ pictured in 2002

The external BBC review looks at what was known about concerns about the DJ’s behavior during his almost two decades there

Mr Westwood has denied the allegations of wrongdoing, saying: ‘They are all false allegations.’

He has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women in a series of incidents that took place between 1992 and 2017, which came to light as part of a joint investigation between the BBC and The Guardian.

The BBC investigation into Westwood was originally thought to last six months when it was launched in August 2022.

But the findings still haven’t been released some 22 months later.

The external BBC review, led by KC, Gemma White, goes too far into what was known about concerns about the DJ’s behavior during his almost two decades there.

The previously published ‘terms of reference’ for the review stated that the report would provide an account of the ‘allegations or concerns about Mr Westwood’s misconduct during the period he worked for the BBC’. This was ‘whether or not the concerns or allegations were raised at the time’.

It will look at whether these allegations or concerns were brought to the attention of the BBC, or people employed or connected to the corporation, and how and when this happened.

The investigation will look at any action the company has taken in response to claims or concerns, analyze the adequacy of ‘any such response’ and identify any examples where the response was ‘inadequate’.

It will also be concluded whether concerns about his behavior were a factor in the BBC’s decision not to ‘renew Westwood’s engagement in 2013’.

The presenter has been accused of predatory and sexual behavior by several women. He is accused of abusing his position in the company.

According to BBC News, some women claim they were under 18 when they came into contact with the DJ, with one saying she was only 14 when he had sex with her for the first time.

Mr Westwood interviews American rapper Cardi B on Capital Xtra. He resigned from his presenting role in April 2022

The DJ’s contract was not renewed by the BBC in 2013 and the investigation is looking into whether Mr Westwood’s behavior was a factor in that decision.

But Westwood has strongly denied the allegations.

Last year, a video was posted on social media asking him about the claims being made about him.

He said: ‘These are all false allegations. These are all false accusations. I’ve never done that, period. These are all false accusations. I will prove that as soon as I get the chance and believe me, I am ready.”

It is believed Mr Westwood was interviewed under caution four times by the Metropolitan Police following the allegations.

People who held senior positions at the BBC are likely to be among the many people interviewed for the review.

Current director general Tim Davie was director of audio and music at the company, which included overseeing Radio 1, between 2008 and 2012. Mr Westwood left the BBC in 2013.

It is reported that 50,000 documents have been requested from the BBC by the BBC’s external investigation team. BBC News said it understands that “historic text messages” sent to Radio 1 are being looked into.

The £3.1 million cost to date reportedly includes invoices yet to be paid, as well as costs accrued from the assessment itself and other related costs.

A confidential reporting point was temporarily opened in April last year. At the time the hotline was announced, Ms White said she expected to report to the BBC ‘in late June or early July 2023’. It was suggested that the extra time was needed to review ‘documents and information’.

A BBC insider said: ‘The cost of it is enormous. What on earth did they spend three million euros on? And why is it taking so long.’

Mr Westwood previously quit his show on Capital Xtra in April 2022.

The BBC said: ‘This is an extremely important ongoing process, led by an independent reviewer.

‘As we have said from the outset, it is vital that we fully understand what was known about the concerns about Tim Westwood’s conduct during his time at the BBC and this remains the priority.’