Tim Westwood is accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women

Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood has been accused of sexual misconduct by several women — a joint investigation by the BBC and The Guardian has found.

Accounts from seven women, who are all Black, date from 1992- 2017. Many have accused Westwood of abusing his power within the music industry.

Westwood "strenuously" denies the claims.

Westwood broadcasted on the BBC for nearly 20 years, after starting the UK's first regular hip hop radio show in 1994.

Two of the alleged victims have stated that they had been offered advice by Westwood for getting into the music industry, agreeing to go to London to meet him. Both have accused the former DJ of initiating unwanted sex with them after driving them to his London flat — one was 19 at the time, while Westwood was 53.

Another woman has accused Westwood of subjecting her to "unwanted oral sex" when she was just 17 and he was 30.

Four others have accused Westwood of groping them and touching them inappropriately while posing for photographs with him at music events.

Allegations of misconduct by the former Radio 1 DJ have circled social since 2020, following a viral hashtag #survivingTimWestwood appeared online in connection with alleged behaviour towards student fans at his club appearances.

Westwood told the Mail Online at the time: "I can categorically say that I have never had an inappropriate relationship with anyone under the age of 18"

Both The Guardian and the BBC have changed the names of the accusers — some of the women now work in the music industry and fear repercussions should their identities be revealed.

The seven women have spoken to The Guardian about their stories and will feature in a documentary on BBC Three on Tuesday: Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power.

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Call 0800 030 5182, (Outside the UK: +44 800 030 5182) where trained experts will listen and support.

[Via: The Guardian, BBC]

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter