News

Tim Westwood accused of sex with 14-year-old girl

The alleged crime is said to have taken place while the DJ was in his 30s

A woman has accused Tim Westwood of being a “predator” and having sex with her on multiple occasions, starting when she was only 14-years-old and he was in his 30s.

The woman is one of several to come forward with fresh allegations against the former BBC Radio 1 DJ, after a joint investigation by BBC News and The Guardian published in April uncovered accusations of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour by Westwood dating from 1992 to 2017. All the women are Black.

Westwood denied the allegations, with a spokesperson saying: "Our client confirms that there has never been any complaint made against him, whether officially or unofficially, relating to claims of inappropriate behaviour of the nature described."

BBC News and The Guardian are now reporting on the stories of 10 additional women who have come forward since the initial allegations, and there are now claims of misconduct and abuse against Westwood dating from 1990 to 2020.

Further accounts include a woman who has alleged she was only 16 when the DJ, who was in his 40s at the time, abused her within a “controlling” relationship, and two women claiming to be sexually assaulted by Westwood while in their mid-teens.

Westwood has not responded to a request for comment on these further allegations.

Their stories and those of other women will be told in a new BBC News documentary titled Hip Hop’s Open Secret: Tim Westwood, which is available to watch now on iPlayer and will be broadcast on BBC Three tonight at 10:PM.

The BBC recently admitted to receiving complaints about Westwood while he worked at Radio 1, after the organisation's Director General previously indicated that it had not received any.

The DJ stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra "until further notice" in light of the allegations coming to light.

Further details about the new allegations can be read via BBC News and The Guardian.

AFEM sponsor a confidential support service for anyone affected by sexual harassment within the Electronic Music Industry Health Assured provide the service to ensure confidential expert counselling A safe and supportive environment for anyone who has been affected and needs guidance and support Call 0800 030 5182, (Outside the UK: +44 800 030 5182) where trained experts will listen and support.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Editor, follow him on Twitter