Scott Mills Dismissed by BBC Following Complaint Linked to Historic Police Investigation
BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was reportedly sacked in a tense meeting with corporation bosses, just five days after a complaint was made against him. The complaint is linked to a historic police probe from 2016 into allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.
Swift Action Taken by BBC After Allegation
According to sources, the BBC acted quickly and decisively after receiving the complaint last Tuesday. Mills was called into a meeting with senior staff present, where he was informed about the allegation. The atmosphere during the meeting was described as tense, with Mills reportedly shutting down completely afterward, becoming unreachable by phone or message.
A source close to the corporation stated, "An allegation was made against Scott last Tuesday and he was called in for a meeting. He was taken off air from Radio 2 the following day and his contract was terminated at the weekend." The entire process from complaint to dismissal occurred in less than five days, highlighting the speed of the BBC's response.
Background of the 2016 Police Investigation
The complaint that led to Mills' dismissal relates to the same individual involved in a 2016 police investigation. That probe examined allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. Mills was questioned by police under caution during that investigation, but the case was ultimately dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Despite the case being closed, the recent complaint prompted immediate action from the BBC, leading to Mills' removal from his broadcasting duties and subsequent contract termination.
Shock and Confusion Among BBC Colleagues
Colleagues and staff at Radio 2 and across the wider BBC were reportedly blindsided by the swift developments. Mills had no indication of what was to come, as evidenced by his sign-off at the end of his Tuesday show, where he told Vernon Kay, "See you tomorrow."
When Mills did not appear at work the next day, many were led to believe he was taking time off for personal reasons. The news of his sacking has caused palpable shock throughout Broadcasting House in London. A source revealed, "People who worked for the BBC outside of the radio service were reading about Scott on news websites. The shock around Broadcasting House in London was palpable."
The BBC did not issue a company-wide press release about the dismissal, instead sharing the news directly with radio staff. This limited communication added to the confusion and surprise among employees.
Friends and acquaintances of Mills expressed their disbelief, with one source close to him stating, "The people who know him are blindsided by all of this." The rapid sequence of events has left many in the broadcasting community reeling, as they process the sudden departure of a well-known presenter under such controversial circumstances.
