Tim Davie Addresses Scott Mills' Dismissal
Outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie concluded his tenure by stating it became "very clear" that former Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills had to be dismissed following the receipt of "new information" by the corporation.
Mills, the ex-radio Breakfast host, lost his position earlier this week after the BBC discovered that the alleged victim involved in a police investigation concerning the presenter was under 16 years old.
During an all-staff call, Davie commented on the matter, saying:
"We're trying to act fairly. It was new information quite recently that we received that made it very clear about the decision we had to make."
Davie, who assumed the director general role in September 2020, will be succeeded temporarily by Rhodri Talfan Davies for six weeks, before Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, takes over permanently on 18 May.
Reflecting on Mills' dismissal, Davie described it as "a real shock to the organisation."
"When something happens where I think there's a lot of grief, there's a lot of shock, I think all I would say is we're trying to act as the leadership with kindness," he added.
Details on Timing and Investigation
BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent questioned Davie regarding when the BBC became aware of the issue. He reiterated a statement from Wednesday, which indicated that the BBC had been informed in 2017 about the investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences. However, recent new information prompted management to dismiss Mills last Friday.
"I think people need to look at the statement; we made [it] as clear as we can. We obviously have to be sensitive when you've got personal information, and we work carefully through it, but the statement is really clear," Davie said.
Changes in Staff Culture
When asked about changes in staff culture during his leadership, Davie acknowledged ongoing progress:
"It'll never be fully fully fixed, but I think it's changing, I really do."
He elaborated on the evolving standards in the industry:
"I think if you come in and behave in a way that some of this industry saw 20 years ago, it just would not be acceptable, you want to create an environment where it's just ludicrous to do that."
Davie expressed optimism about the industry's direction:
"I think the industry is kinder."
He also addressed the issue of power misuse by senior figures:
"I do think we've reached a point where people behaving badly now, you can see we're not going to tolerate it."
Challenges During Davie's Tenure
Davie, who succeeded Lord Tony Hall, encountered several challenges and controversies during his nearly six years as director general. These included the BBC broadcasting a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards last month. The corporation described this as a "genuine mistake" and is investigating why the content was not removed from sooner.
Additionally, the BBC issued an apology last summer after a livestream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set, which included chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Force)," remained available on BBC for over four hours.
Davie was also in charge when Huw Edwards, one of the BBC's highest-paid and most prominent newsreaders, pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.
In November 2025, Davie resigned alongside head of news Deborah Turness following criticism over a Panorama documentary that allegedly misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump. Trump is suing the BBC for several billion dollars in a defamation case, claiming the documentary made it appear he directly encouraged supporters to storm the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
In March, the BBC requested a Florida court dismiss the lawsuit, arguing the documentary was not available to US viewers.
Reflections on Crisis Management
Davie spoke candidly about the pressures of managing controversies at the BBC:
"There are days when you're in the middle of a crisis, the snappers are outside your house… you do feel fear, and I'm not going to miss that. It's been hard," he said.
"Plus you've also got sometimes editorial mistakes - and they are mistakes, they're not people deliberately doing stuff - that can be really tough."
Legacy and Departure
After more than 20 years with the BBC and nearly six years as its 17th director general, Davie is stepping down. When asked about his proudest achievements, he highlighted the creative output of the organisation:
"All the amazing creative work produced by the organisation."
He praised the journalistic and editorial core of the BBC and mentioned the upcoming celebration of 100 years of David Attenborough:
"The heartbeat of this operation is journalistic and editorially. I love the work, I love the fact this year we will be celebrating 100 years of David Attenborough - I've met a few [great people] in my job, but you meet David Attenborough and you go 'ok this is it, this is the beating heart'."
