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Scott Mills was sacked after “new information” came to light relating to his conduct, the BBC said on Wednesday.
The corporation confirmed in a statement that it was first made aware of a police investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse in 2017, but had terminated the radio presenter’s contract on Friday in accordance with its “culture and values”.
The BBC did not provide details on what fresh information had prompted it to take action.
A spokesperson acknowledged there had been “much speculation in the media and online” since the news broke on Monday but said: “We hope people understand that there is a limit to what we can say because we have to be mindful of the rights of those involved.”
Mills, 53, has not spoken publicly since he was dismissed. Until last week, he had presented Britain’s most popular breakfast show, on Radio 2, having taken over from Zoe Ball last January and increasing its audience to 6.5 million listeners.
On Monday, the Mirror reported that Mills’ sacking related to a police inquiry that began in 2016 and related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy under 16.
The Metropolitan police said the offences were alleged to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, when Mills was in his 20s. The original complaint was made to police in the presenter’s native Hampshire.
Although Mills was interviewed under caution in 2018, he did not face charges.
The force added: “A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”
The BBC said: “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 27 March.
“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 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 detail of what was known by the BBC at this time.”
Mills has not been on air since 24 March. His departure was communicated to staff on Monday by Lorna Clarke, director of music at the BBC. She said: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.
“Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.”
Mills has also been dropped as a patron by the charity Neuroblastoma UK, which funds research into more effective treatments for the childhood cancer.
A spokesperson told the Mirror: “We have communicated this decision to Scott and his team, and would like to thank him for his support to date. We remain unwavering in our mission to fund research to find better treatments, and a cure, for neuroblastoma.”
