Scott Mills Breaks Silence Following BBC Dismissal, Addresses 2016 Police Investigation
Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has publicly addressed his recent departure from the broadcaster, breaking his silence in a statement issued through his legal representatives. Mills confirmed that he "fully cooperated" with a Metropolitan Police investigation launched in 2016 regarding allegations of a historical sexual offence.
Details of the Police Investigation
The Metropolitan Police initiated an investigation into Mills, now 53, in 2016 following allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under the age of 16. The alleged incidents were said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000. According to official statements, Hampshire Police first received the allegations from a third party in 2016, logged the details, and subsequently passed the information to the Metropolitan Police for further investigation.
Mills was formally questioned under caution by officers in July 2018. During this questioning, Mills denied all allegations, a position he maintained throughout the investigation. The Sun newspaper reported that Mills informed BBC management about the investigation at the time.
BBC's Response and Investigation Outcome
BBC executives made the decision to keep Mills on air during the investigation period, when he was still hosting Radio 1 programming. The case was ultimately closed in May 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service advised that "the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges." The Metropolitan Police, which maintains a policy of not identifying individuals under investigation before charges are filed, confirmed the investigation's closure following this prosecutorial guidance.
Mills' Final Broadcast and Replacement
Scott Mills last appeared on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show on Tuesday, March 24, concluding his broadcast with the phrase "see you tomorrow" to listeners. He was subsequently replaced by Gary Davies, marking an abrupt end to his tenure at the station. The circumstances surrounding his departure have now been clarified through his legal team's statement regarding the previously concluded police investigation.
The statement from Mills' lawyers represents his first public comments since the BBC's decision to terminate his employment. While the investigation concluded without charges being brought, the allegations and subsequent police inquiry have now become part of the public record as Mills addresses this chapter following his exit from the national broadcaster.
