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British DJ Tim Westwood accused of sexual misconduct
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Long past: British DJ Tim Westwood poses on the red carpet while attending the gala screening of Straight Outta Compton on Aug. 20, 2015 at Picturehouse Central in central London. (AFP/Leon Neal)
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everal women have accused veteran British hip-hop DJ Tim Westwood of predatory sexual behavior or groping, allegations which the radio and former TV presenter strenuously denied on Tuesday.
Three women told the BBC and the Guardian newspaper that the 64-year-old former BBC Radio 1 DJ had abused his position in the music industry to exploit them sexually.
Two of the women said they agreed to come to London to discuss their musical aspirations, but were driven to Westwood's apartment, where he initiated unwanted and unexpected sex.
One of the women was 19 at the time, when Westwood was 53.
Another woman who was already in an R&B group said she was subjected to unwanted sex when she met the DJ. She was 17 at the time.
Four other women have accused the DJ, who was an early champion of hip-hop in the United Kingdom, of touching them inappropriately while posing for photographs at events where Westwood was performing.
A representative for Westwood said in a statement that the DJ "strongly denies all allegations of inappropriate behavior”.
"In a career that has spanned 40 years, there have never been any complaints made against him, officially or unofficially.
"Tim Westwood strongly rejects all allegations of wrongdoing."
Westwood, who presented MTV UK's Pimp My Ride from 2005 to 2007, is the son of a former Anglican bishop from eastern England.
He was wounded in a drive-by shooting in London in 1999, and is often cited as an inspiration for Sacha Baron Cohen's fictional Ali G character, a middle-class, suburban youth who acts in a way he thinks is typical of black people.
