THE BBC have admitted they’ve known about a police probe into Scott Mills for NINE years – but let him keep his job until this week.
The shamed corporation confirmed The Sun’s exclusive in a statement today.
We revealed Mills was allowed to keep his job for almost a decade, despite the BBC being made aware in 2017 of an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual offences against a boy under 16.
The Radio 2 star was only sacked this week after “new information” came to light, the BBC said.
Mills, 53, was questioned by cops over allegations of “serious sexual offences” against a boy in 2018.
The case – said to have taken place between 1997 and 2000 – was later dropped in full due to a lack of evidence.
The BBC pulled Mills off air this week in a sensational move over allegations surrounding his “personal conduct”.
Officials decided to keep Mills on air for nine years after he informed them of the investigation – before suddenly dismissing him over the weekend.
It was only after a complaint was made regarding the police probe that Beeb bosses gave Mills the boot.
Mills’ £360,000 a year contract was terminated within five days of the complaint being made.
In a statement today, a BBC spokesperson said: “Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.
“We also recognise there’s been much speculation in the media and online since Monday. We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.
“What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him.
“As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday 27 March.”
The spokesperson added: “Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made.
“We are doing more work to understand the detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.”
The statement concluded that the BBC has made “a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards”.
“Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC and we were clear action would be taken if these were not met.”
The BBC has since apologised for not taking action on an allegation against Mills that was raised last year.
Broadcasters and MPs demanded answers over the latest of multiple scandals to rock the corporation in recent years.
TV presenter Piers Morgan said: “I don’t understand. He was investigated by police 10yrs ago over alleged offences 25+ years ago, but no action was taken and case was closed.
“Now he gets instantly fired over same thing? The BBC needs to explain why, surely?”
Insiders have claimed the BBC moved swiftly over Mills following criticism they were slow to act over shamed newsreader Huw Edwards.
Discussing the cases yesterday Radio 2 host Jeremy Vine said: “There is a thought here they decided to treat Scott how they wish they’d treated Huw. Which would be a bit unfair would it not?
“Regarding the inconsistency here, we were told Huw Edwards couldn’t be sacked because he was in a fragile mental state, everything I have read about Scott’s history today goes back to his own anxiety and depression and everything else but there doesn’t seem to be the same break cut for him.”
Mills joined Radio 1 in 1998. Allegations about him were first reported to Hampshire Police by a third party in 2016.
The force logged the details and later passed on information to the Met’s Operation Winter Key.
In December 2016 Winter Key cops launched an investigation.
At that time, Mills was the Drivetime DJ for Radio 1 and hosted the Official Chart Show, which has a target age range of 15-plus.
Mills was interviewed under caution in July 2018 and denied the claims against him.
In March that year The Sun on Sunday revealed how an investigation was being carried out into an unnamed radio presenter.
A file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge. The investigation was then closed in May 2019.
BBC bosses, including Ben Cooper, the then-controller of Radio 1 and 1Xtra, chose not to take Mills off air despite the investigation.
The Met Police 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 enquiries, 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.”
