Sex offence investigation into Scott Mills closed due to lack of evidence

Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy under 16 in 2018, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.

The breakfast show host was abruptly taken off air by the BBC last week before his sacking over allegations related to his “personal conduct” was announced on Monday.

The 53-year-old last hosted his show on Tuesday March 24 and signed off with: “See you tomorrow.”

The claims relate to when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1, and it is not known if the BBC was told of the investigation at the time. It is not clear if his sacking is related to the police investigation.

Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was investigated in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences that took place between 1997 and 2000.

He was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

Mills was not charged with a criminal offence and the case was closed due to lack of evidence.

The Metropolitan Police does not identify people who are subject to an investigation before any charges are brought.

A spokesperson said: “In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

“The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

“As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

“A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”

The Met confirmed the boy was under 16.

News of Mills’s sacking led Monday’s noon bulletin on his former station BBC Radio 2 and the broadcaster issued a news alert on Tuesday reporting the closed police investigation.

In an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, wrote: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC.

“I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.

“I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

“Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to.

“While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.”

Mills has been contacted for comment.

The BBC said it would not comment beyond an earlier statement: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the Press Association on a visit to Hertfordshire: “This is yet another scandal that the BBC has to contend with.

“It is a large and complex organisation, and I think that this is one of the things that the new director-general is going to need to get to grips with.”

Outgoing director-general Tim Davie will leave the BBC this week.

He will be replaced by interim director-general, Rhodri Talfan Davies, on April 2, before former Google boss Matt Brittin becomes permanent director-general on May 18.