BBC Westwood inquiry chief says it has received ‘significant’ new information

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A BBC inquiry into what the corporation knew about allegations of sexual misconduct against the DJ Tim Westwood has received “significant” new information.

It comes after the independent review team, led by Gemma White KC, opened a confidential phone line in an attempt to “expand the ways in which people can come forward” to report information.

White announced on Monday that the phone line would close as planned on 19 May and the inquiry had received a “significant amount of important new information”.

Last year, a joint investigation by the Guardian and BBC News published allegations of sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour made by several women against Westwood. The presenter, who denied the allegations, subsequently stepped down from his show on Capital Xtra.

The BBC appointed White last August after an internal review found that the corporation may have missed chances to explore concerns raised against Westwood, who was a DJ at BBC Radio 1 from 1994 to 2013. Jahnine Davis, one of the UK’s leading specialists in the safeguarding of Black children, was appointed to help with the review.

The inquiry, which has reportedly already seen more than 50,000 BBC documents, is expected to publish its findings in the summer.

Giving an update on Monday, White said: “We would like to thank everyone who has contacted us via the review phone line. We know that taking the decision to call was not easy for many of you and that speaking to us has taken courage.

“Your evidence will assist me in my task of independently establishing whether the BBC knew of concerns and responded appropriately to them. If you have been thinking of contributing but have not been sure about whether to do so, please do get in touch now.”

Westwood has denied all the allegations, with a spokesperson saying they were “completely false” and that there had never been any complaints against him “officially or unofficially”.

The hotline is available on 08000 121 838 until 19 May.