The recent headlines around Scott Mills and his sudden exit from the BBC have prompted the presenter to publish a short public statement. In that message he confirms that a police statement circulating in the media relates to him and outlines his wish to refrain from further public commentary. The announcement follows the broadcaster’s confirmation that Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC, and that new material had emerged which led to decisive action by the corporation on Friday 27 March. The presenter, who is reported to be 53, asked for respect for his privacy and thanked colleagues and listeners for their support.
Background reporting has tied the present situation to a prior probe that began in 2016. The Metropolitan Police examined allegations relating to incidents said to have occurred between 1997 and 2000, and Mills was questioned by officers in 2018. A file was later submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which concluded in May 2019 that the matter did not meet the evidential threshold required to charge. The police confirmed the age detail reported in coverage: the complainant was under 16. While those milestones are on record, the BBC says it acted after receiving fresh information in recent weeks.
What Mills said in his statement
In his written response, Mills acknowledged the publication of speculation following his exit and confirmed that he had cooperated with the earlier police enquiries. He restated that the investigation to which the police referred had been concluded and that the CPS declined to bring charges due to insufficient evidence. He described the events as relating to an allegation nearly three decades old and asked the public and press to accept his wish not to engage further in public discussion. The statement closed with gratitude to those who had offered kindness and to his former colleagues and listeners whom he said he misses.
How the BBC framed its response and timeline
The BBC has confirmed that it was aware of a police investigation as early as 2017, but insists the recent dismissal followed the emergence of new information. A corporation spokesperson said the organisation acted in line with its expected standards, terminating contracts after speaking directly to Mills. The broadcaster also apologised for not following up on a separate press query in 2026 that raised concerns about alleged inappropriate communications, saying that it should have asked further questions and will investigate why it did not. The BBC has emphasised its ongoing commitment to improving culture and processes across the organisation.
Internal and external reactions
Colleagues and partner organisations moved quickly after the BBC announcement. The children’s cancer charity Neuroblastoma UK said it had decided to part ways with Mills and he is no longer a patron. The MS Society, where Mills had served as an ambassador since 2015, confirmed awareness of reports but said it had no further information at the time. On-air peers reacted with a mix of shock and caution: presenters such as Jeremy Vine described the news as a surprise, while former colleagues urged sensitivity toward everyone involved, noting the human consequences on both sides.
Legal status and what remains public
Officially, the legal record shows a probe opened in 2016, a police interview in 2018, and a decision by the CPS in May 2019 not to proceed. The Met Police has confirmed the period the allegations relate to as 1997 to 2000 and that the complainant was under 16. Beyond those entries, the BBC has said it received new information that prompted its decision to end Mills’s contracts on 27 March, and the presenter’s final Radio 2 show was broadcast on 24 March. The corporation has declined to disclose further detail out of consideration for the rights of those involved.
Next steps and public interest considerations
There are several strands now: the public record of the earlier police inquiry; the BBC’s internal review of what additional information it received and when; and the wider debate about how media organisations respond to allegations involving prominent figures. The broadcaster’s apology for not following up in 2026 highlights the tension between prompt journalistic reporting and thorough internal checks. For now, Mills’s statement asking for privacy and the BBC’s confirmation that he is no longer contracted stand as the principal public facts, while organisations and commentators continue to parse what led to the decision.