The BBC has confirmed that it was aware of a police investigation involving DJ Scott Mills dating back to 2017.
Mills, who served as a presenter for Radio 2, was terminated following the emergence of "new information" concerning his conduct within the past few weeks, as stated by the BBC.
The police previously investigated Mills in relation to historical allegations of serious sexual offences allegedly occurring in 2016. However, no charges were filed after prosecutors concluded in 2019 that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with legal action.
As of now, Mills has not responded to numerous requests for comment.
On Tuesday, a representative from the Metropolitan Police informed BBC News that the teenage boy central to the investigation was below the age of 16.
Reports indicate that Tony Hall, who was the BBC's director general during the initial investigation, was not privy to the allegations at that time.
The BBC's statement on Wednesday was prompted by increasing scrutiny regarding the rationale behind Mills' unexpected dismissal. A BBC spokesperson remarked on Mills' extensive and popular career within the organization, acknowledging the shock that this development has caused amongst listeners and the public.
The spokesperson conveyed, "Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC; he was hugely popular, and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many. We also recognize there's been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved."
The BBC confirmed that recent developments in the information pertaining to Mills prompted direct communication with him, which led to the immediate termination of his contracts.
Additionally, they stated, "Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made. We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time."
Mills hosted his final show on BBC Radio 2 on March 24, 2026, with the announcement of his termination occurring on March 30, 2026, following the allegations concerning his conduct.
The claims, which arose from incidents between 1997 and 2000, led to Mills being questioned by police in 2018. However, the investigation was concluded in 2019 with no charges filed due to insufficient evidence.
The BBC has received criticism for not investigating a separate allegation of inappropriate communications involving Mills. In response to this, the spokesperson issued an apology for failing to address a press inquiry in 2025, which may have unearthed additional pertinent information.
Following Mills' departure, DJ Gary Davies has taken over his position on the Radio 2 breakfast show, with speculation ongoing regarding who will be appointed as a permanent replacement.
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