• Scott Mills confirms he was investigated over historical sexual offences.
• The BBC acted after receiving new information about Mills in recent weeks.
• Mills expresses gratitude for the support received following his sacking.
• The Metropolitan Police previously closed the case due to insufficient evidence.
• BBC reiterates commitment to improving workplace culture amid sexual scandals.

The controversy surrounding former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills has escalated after he confirmed that he was previously investigated by police over allegations of sexual offences involving a teenage boy. The investigation arose from allegations dating back to between 1997 and 2000, and while the police questioned Mills in 2018, they ultimately closed the case in 2019 for lack of sufficient evidence, according to SCMP and BBC.

Mills' recent statement marked the first communication following his abrupt sacking from the BBC. He described the ensuing media speculation as "rumour and speculation," highlighting his decision to remain silent about the case in order to respect its sensitive nature. He emphasized that the allegations, revealed for the first time through the tabloid press, were resolved when the Crown Prosecution Service declared they did not meet the evidential threshold for charges, as reported by BBC and India Times.

Despite being aware of the investigation since 2017, the BBC ended Mills' contract after new information surfaced. In their communications, the BBC acknowledged their ongoing evaluation of their internal processes regarding how they handle such allegations, and stated their commitment to improving workplace culture, which has been under scrutiny following multiple sexual misconduct scandals involving high-profile figures linked to the broadcaster, according to SCMP and India Times.

This recent incident is part of a broader pattern of issues facing the BBC, where several prominent figures have faced allegations of misconduct. Mills expressed appreciation for the support he received during this challenging time, specifically thanking his listeners and former colleagues for their kindness, as noted by BBC and India Times.