Tim Westwood Allegations: Broadcaster Urged To Act Over Claims DJ Behaved Inappropriately With Fans
Broadcast giant Global Media is under increasing pressure to launch an investigation into allegations made by both anonymous and named figures online that DJ Tim Westwood has behaved inappropriately with predominantly Black female fans – which he has strenuously denied.
The firm has come under fire, including by its own staff members, for failing to publicly address the allegations, and for keeping Westwood’s weekly radio show on air.
Claims against the 62-year-old Capital Xtra presenter, who is considered a major figure in the UK hip-hop industry, appeared on Twitter last month under the hashtag #SurvivingTimWestwood. Westwood has said the allegations are “fabricated”.
In a statement released to HuffPost UK, he said: “I can categorically say that I have never had an inappropriate relationship with anyone under the age of 18. I am aware of attempts by anonymous sources to make fabricated allegations online. I can confirm that such allegations are false and without any foundation.”
But a producer at Global, which owns Capital Xtra and employs Westwood, told HuffPost UK that staff members are “outraged at the company’s silence on the issue” and said internal pressure, by way of conversations and correspondence, is being put on employees to stay silent.
A representative for Westwood confirmed to HuffPost UK that no complaints had been received at Capital Xtra.
Westwood has not been convicted of any crime nor have any complaints been made to the police, as far as HuffPost UK is aware. The producer, however, wants to see Global publicly acknowledge that allegations have been made and commit to investigating them internally as part of its duty of care towards other staff.
“I think Westwood should be taken off air,” they said. “I’m surprised they didn’t take him off air while they look into the allegations. They should at least suspend him until they are sure they’re not compromising the safety of their other staff, especially the women. This...