Famous UK-based DJ, Tim Westwood, has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple Black women.
According to reports, three women have claimed they were victims of “opportunistic and predatory” sexual behavior by the DJ, while four others have alleged they were groped by him at events.
The women, who are all Black, were in their late teens or early 20s when they claim the incidents took place, with the earliest incident reportedly occurring in 1992 while the most recent happened in 2017. They shared their stories in a BBC Three documentary, ‘Tim Westwood: Abuse of Power’.
They claim Westwood abused his position in the music industry to exploit them. One victim, who was 19 at the time of Westwood’s alleged behavior, disclosed that the DJ “exposed” himself in front of her.
“I didn’t actually see him undo his trousers”, she said. “What alerted me to the fact that he was exposing himself was that he actually tapped me to turn around to look”.
She went on to claim she was the victim of a second episode of predatory sexual behavior. The woman added that Westwood returned to the room naked after making himself a drink.
“That’s when I noticed that he’s got a condom and he’s removed it [from the packet] and started putting it on,” she recounted. “I remember him throwing it down. I remember the fact that it was yellow. Like, I remember that very vividly , because I remember that was kind of when my brain also started to shut down”.
She alleged that when Westwood initiated sex, she was “frozen due to shock”.
Another woman, who was 20 at the time of her ordeal, was allegedly invited to do work experience with Westwood. According to her, she traveled to London to meet him and claim that he “soon began touching her leg and face while he was driving”.
Westwood started to drive erratically as the woman tried to bat his hand away, which made a police officer on a motorbike pull alongside the vehicle and knock on the passenger window.
The woman disclosed that West wood drove her to his flat even though sleeping arrangements hadn’t been discussed. She alleged that he “sat next to her and tried to kiss her neck and remove items of her clothing”.
“I didn’t give him any kind of come-on. There was no flirtation”, she said, adding that he initiated sex. “I’m in London alone with this man. Now if I try to get out of this, who’s to say how he’s going to react. So I just submit to it”.
“Someone taking advantage of my naivety and lack of confidence isn’t something that I should have to carry with shame,” one of the victims said.
None of the women had reported their interactions to the police and all have asked to remain anonymous.
Tim Denies Allegations
Meanwhile, Tim Westwood denied all the allegations through a spokesperson as he noted that all the reports are completely false.
Releasing a statement he said: “I can categorically say that I have never had an inappropriate relationship with anyone under the age of 18. I am aware of attempts by anonymous sources to make fabricated allegations online. I can confirm that such allegations are false and without any foundation”.
The women decided to come forward with their stories after anonymous allegations of inappropriate behavior about Westwood circulated on social media back in June 2020.
Westwood, who is 64 years, is best known for his freestyling studio sessions that have featured superstar singers and rappers from all over the world. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1994 to host the first national rap show in the UK. At BBC, he also hosted the weekday drivetime show for 1Xtra from September 2009 until he was replaced by Charlie Sloth in September 2012.
After leaving the show, Westwood continued his Saturday night Rap Show until it was announced he was leaving the BBC in 2013 after 20 years.
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