Shamed DJ Tim Westwood enticing ‘ladies’ to gig with ‘free shots’ despite being probed over ‘string of sexual assaults’
SHAMED DJ Tim Westwood has been slammed by women’s rights groups after offering free shots to entice female party-goers to his upcoming gig – despite being under investigation by cops over a string of alleged sex assaults.
The ex-Radio 1 host has been quizzed by the Met Police under police caution four times since five women came forward in April 2022 claiming to be victims of sexual assault.
Altogether at least 10 women have accused Westwood of sexual assault including a woman who alleged he assaulted her when she was just 14 in the 90s, which led to her trying to take her own life.
Another was a 16-year-old schoolgirl when she alleges Westwood started a “controlling” sexual relationship with her.
The harrowing allegations from the accusers – all of who are black women – span a 30-year period, many of them from when he worked for the BBC hosting the Radio 1 Rap Show.
The 66-year-old bishop’s son has kept a low profile in the UK since reports came out – preferring to spend most of his time in Africa playing gigs and rebranding himself as an online chef.
But now Westwood is back in south London and Birmingham across the Bank Holiday weekend – enticing girls with “free shots for [the] first 50 ladies”, according to the club flyers.
Customers can also get in free if their star signs are Taurus or Gemini.
There’s also an option to chat on WhatsApp from his Instagram page.
In response to The Sun’s disturbing discovery, the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) called for “justice” and “accountability”.
Director Andrea Simon said: “We’ve seen many high profile perpetrators use their power and status to evade accountability for abuse, with victims’ reports being ignored for years while violence is allowed to continue.
“This is due to the cultures of silence across the entertainment industry in order to protect reputations.
“This is also reflected in police investigations of sexual violence, which often focus on whether the victim is believable rather than investigating the suspect – even in cases where men are repeatedly accused of sexual violence.
“Women are routinely disbelieved when they report rape, particularly Black women, disabled women and others who face discrimination and stereotypes. This has got to change if we are to see justice and accountability.
“We need to listen to and support women when they bravely come forward to report abuse and do far more to prevent violence against women and girls in the first place.”
Westwood stepped down from his Capital Xtra show in April 2022, despite strongly denying any wrongdoing over sexual misconduct accusations stemming from 1982 to 2016.
Since then, the veteran broadcaster has been enjoying month-long trips to Nigeria and other African nations.
When the news first broke, Westwood had already landed in Ghana.
His Instagram is full of DJ events from Nigeria’s capital Lagos – while he’s happily posing with some of the continent’s biggest music stars.
More recently, Westwood has been showing off his culinary skills in slick Instagram videos making okra soup and chicken stew with rice, produced by brand agency BWGRX Media.
Despite growing up in Lowestoft, Suffolk, with dad Bill – the Bishop of Peterborough – Westwood became known for his pseudo-Jamaican accent and built up a reputation as one of the most cutting edge hip-hop DJs.
He has had to fend off numerous allegations of inappropriate behaviour over the years – with some even dubbing him “Timmy Savile”.
In particular, Westwood has been accused of predatory behaviour towards young women and girls at late-night club events for years.
He used to give out condoms emblazoned with his face and the logo: “Strap it up before you slap it up” at club nights.
At a Leicester student union event in 2013 he was accused of yelling out obscenities including “Girls keep your p*****s tight and clean,” and “Girl in the front row with the black dress on, I will be f***ing you later,” Student website The Tab claimed at the time.
His next event at Exeter University was cancelled due to his behaviour at Leicester.
A Change petition was started in June 2020, garnering 6,475 signatures, calling for him to be investigated.
In April 2022 BBC Three aired a documentary called Tim Westwood Abuse of Power in which six black women accused him of sexual misconduct.
In July, they aired a second part of the documentary featuring accounts from even more women, called Hip Hop’s Open Secret.
An independent review of his conduct while at the BBC was launched in August 2022 found the broadcaster may have missed chances to act over concerns about the DJ.
The review is being carried out by Gemma White KC, but she said she could not comment when approached by The Sun.
The Met Police are still investigating the allegations of offences alleged to have happened between 1982 and 2016.
In a statement from last year the force said: “Police are investigating a number of reports relating to allegations of non-recent sexual offences allegedly committed by a man.
“The offences are alleged to have occurred in London between 1982 and 2016.”
Westwood’s representatives and the Met Police were approached for comment.