Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood has been charged with four counts of rape and is now due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 Nov. He faces fifteen charges in total, with nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in addition to the rape charges.
It emerged that London’s Metropolitan Police were investigating claims against Westwood back in 2022, in the wake of a Guardian and BBC News report in which eighteen women accused the DJ of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour.
Incidents alleged in that report occurred between 1992 and 2017, a time period which included Westwood’s nearly 20 year stint at the BBC. The criminal charges Westwood now faces relate to allegations made by seven women, and incidents that allegedly took place as early as 1983 and as recently as 2016.
Commenting on the investigation, Andy Furphy of the Metropolitan Police says, “It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature. The women who have done so have put their trust in us and we continue to provide them with all available support”.
He then adds, “Our investigation remains open and we’d encourage anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with us. Any reports will be dealt with in the strictest confidence by specialist officers”.
The BBC undertook its own investigation into alleged misconduct by Westwood during his time working for the broadcaster. Late last year it was revealed that publication of a report stemming from that investigation had been paused pending the outcome of the police investigation.
Westwood himself has previously denied all the allegations of misconduct made against him.
According to the BBC, Chief Crown Prosecutor Lionel Idan says of the Westwood prosecution, “Our prosecutors have established that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings”.
But, he adds, “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings”.