Call for evidence extended in Tim Westwood review

The BBC has also appointed Jahnine Davis, an independent safeguarding expert, to assist with the review as it continues

PHOTO: Gemma White KC and Jahnine Davis

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The independent reviewer appointed to examine what was known about concerns about Tim Westwood’s conduct during his time at the BBC has extended the call for evidence.

Gemma White KC was appointed by the BBC in August, following an expedited internal review into allegations against the DJ.

A call for evidence was published last month and the barrister has now confirmed this will remain open until Friday 2 December.

The BBC has also appointed Jahnine Davis, an independent safeguarding expert, to assist with the review as it continues.

Gemma White KC says: "It has been just over a month since the BBC published my call for evidence for the review and I want to thank everyone who has come forward with information.

"Some of you have told me how difficult it has been for you to take the decision to contact me. I understand that speaking about sensitive matters can be painful and there are many things that you have needed to consider before doing so.

"Others who have written or spoken to me have wondered whether the information they have to contribute is relevant, or sufficiently important – and my answer to that is, simply, yes. I have been, and remain, keen to hear from everyone who has anything to say to me. It is important to me that I hear from everyone who wishes to speak and I have therefore decided to extend the period for people to get in touch.

"As part of this process, I am pleased to say the BBC has appointed an independent safeguarding expert at my request, to assist me with aspects of the review. Jahnine Davis is a respected and experienced expert in her field and she is available to join me for conversations or meetings.

"To anyone who sees this who may have something to share, please feel free to contact me directly and if you would like Jahnine to be involved, please just let me know. If you have any questions, please ask them. And if you have any concerns about providing information, please let me know what they are. I understand that revisiting experiences can be very difficult and want to do all I can to make the process as comfortable for you as possible."

Further information about the review including terms of reference, frequently asked questions and privacy notices can be found here.

Gemma White can be contacted directly at GWKCBBCReview@blackstonechambers.com

About

Biographies

Gemma White KC

Gemma is a barrister and KC with over 25 years’ experience of practice in civil law. She was a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel from 1999 to 2016, when she took silk. Gemma is a CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) accredited mediator and sits as an arbitrator in cases brought by or against national sporting bodies, principally in the safeguarding arena.

As a KC, Gemma’s professional practice has been largely devoted to conducting internal investigations and inquiries for organisations in both the public and private sector. Many have involved considering allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying. In 2018-2019 Gemma led the House of Commons Inquiry into the Bullying and Harassment by MPs of their Parliamentary Staff.

Jahnine Davis

Jahnine has worked in child protection and wider safeguarding for over 20 years. Her experience includes working with and supporting women and girls impacted by sexual violence and other harm and she is one of the UK’s leading specialists in the safeguarding of Black children.

Jahnine is the Director of Listen Up, an organisational established to amplify lesser heard voices in child safeguarding research, practice and policy. Jahnine has a Masters in Women and Child Abuse and her PhD research explores safeguarding responses to Black children when harm is outside of the home.

Source BBC One