BBC did know of Scott Mills's police probe in 2017 'but were unaware boy accusing star of sexual offences was under 16'

The BBC was aware of a police probe into Scott Mills nine years ago but did not know the boy who accused the star of sexual offences was under 16, sources have claimed. 

Mills, 53, was investigated then cleared over allegations of historic 'serious sexual offences' against a boy under the age of 16 between 1997 and 2000.

The BBC admitted it was aware of the investigation into Mills in 2017 - but only fired him after 'new information' came to light last week. 

The Metropolitan Police on Wednesday confirmed it had been in contact with the corporation on 'several occasions' over the allegations since 2017, after it was handed the case the previous year. 

But Tony Hall, the Director general at the time, was not aware of the 'full picture', including the accuser's age, sources have told the Mirror. 

On Wednesday night, in an extraordinary statement issued via his lawyers to the Daily Mail, the 53-year-old broke his silence to admit he was the subject of the investigation and did not deny the allegations.

The full statement read: 'The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.

'An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.

'As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. 

'Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.

'I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.'

On Monday, Mills was axed by the BBC over his 'personal conduct' but the corporation would not elaborate further.

It later emerged he was investigated by police in 2016 after claims of 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy aged under 16 between 1997 and 2000.

The case was closed in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

After days of refusing to come clean about the extent of what bosses knew in regard to the police investigation into one of their star presenters, the BBC finally admitted it was aware of the probe. 

Corporation chiefs felt they had 'no choice' but to dismiss Radio 2's flagship morning show host after 'new information' about his alleged conduct had been brought to them in recent weeks.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesman 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.

'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, March 27.

'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 that action would be taken if these were not met.

'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 details of what was known by the BBC at this time.'

However, pressure is continuing to mount regarding why Mills was kept on air despite it being known that he was interviewed under caution between 2018 and 2019.

The Beeb faced further humiliation when the Met Police confirmed on Wednesday in a statement that bosses had been spoken to on 'several occasions' about the now disgraced presenter. 

A Met spokesman said: 'We have been in contact with the man's employer on several occasions, between the start of our investigation in 2017 and the present day. It would not be appropriate to share the specific nature of these discussions.'

But it can further be revealed that officers are believed to have been talking to the corporation's lawyers as recently as last week after the BBC learned about the 'new information' involving the broadcaster.

It is understood this information was already known to police when the investigation into Mills was closed. There had been at least four other discussions between Scotland Yard and the BBC dating back to January 2017.

The allegations were first made to Hampshire police in 2016, involving claims of non-recent sexual offences against a teenage boy. Police have said the alleged victim fell into the age bracket 13 to 16 years old. It is believed Mills and the alleged complainant met online.

The investigation was passed from Hampshire to the Met in December 2016 and Mills, then presenting on Radio 1, was invited to attend a London police station for questioning, rather than being arrested.

A former BBC presenter contacted bosses in May 2025 to say she had received information about alleged 'inappropriate communications' involving Mills. Anna Brees, now a freelance journalist, also asked if bosses had ever received any formal complaints about the presenter relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment – to which she did not receive a response.

The BBC was forced to admit on Tuesday it failed to investigate. A spokesman said: 'We received a Press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.'