Tim Westwood steps down from Capital Extra amid allegations

Tim Westwood steps down from Capital Extra amid allegations

Tim Westwood has stepped down from his position at Capital Xtra following sexual misconduct allegations, the parent company of the station has said.

According to reports, several women have come forward with claims against Mr. Westwood, including predatory sexual behaviour.

The BBC reported “Following the claims that have recently come to light, Tim Westwood has stepped down from his show until further notice” Global said on Wednesday.

Mr. Westwood has denied the claims against him, with two of his upcoming DJ sets being cancelled in light.

DJ Tim Westwood is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse across three decades by women who were in their late teens and early twenties.

The BBC documentary aired, entitled Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power.

The 64-year-old is accused of decades worth of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour between 1992 and 2017.

Westwood denies these allegations.

A BBC and Guardian investigation saw seven black women come forward with their experiences with the DJ.

Two of the women said they travelled to London to meet with the DJ to discuss music in separate instances when he took them to his flat, removed his clothes, and initiated unwanted and unprotected sex.

Another woman said she was 17 when she met Westwood, who was then in his mid-30s, who allegedly subjected her to unwanted oral sex.

Other young women accused the DJ of inappropriate and unwanted touching during photographs being taken at nightclubs and events.

None of the women who made allegations know each other. Some work in the music industry and fear the DJ still having a prominent role in an industry that has faced many accusations of unfair treatment towards black women.

Allegations about Westwood’s behaviour toward young black women have circulated on social media for some time.

Westwood stated the Mail Online in 2020 hitting out at the “fabricated allegations”, adding that they were false and without foundation.

The investigation hears the women describe in detail their encounters for the first time, with them all feeling that they couldn’t come forward before as they wouldn’t be believed.

Westwood is known for giving a platform to new artists, as well as getting some of the biggest rappers in the world onto his programmes.

He eventually left the BBC in 2013 as part of scheduled changes.

In a Freedom of Information request, BBC News asked the BBC whether it had received any complaints against Westwood during his time in its employment.

The corporation said it could “neither confirm nor deny whether the BBC holds the requested information”.

In a statement on the investigation, the BBC said “it does not comment on individuals”, but added that presenters would be expected to comply with strict codes of conduct.

 

 

editor
Jack joined the Gi team in January 2022.

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