Former BBC Radio presenter Scott Mills was questioned in 2018 by police over sexual offence allegations concerning boy under 16

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that former BBC Radio presenter Scott Mills was questioned in 2018 over allegations of serious sexual offences against a boy who was aged under 16.

The investigation, which began in 2016 and concerned allegations relating to incidents reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000, was later closed in 2019 due to lack of evidence.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement: "In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

"As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

"A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019."

BBC News also reports that director-general at the time, Tony Hall, did not know about the allegations.

This news, which was first reported by The Mirror, comes after Mills was sacked by the BBC following allegations over his 'personal conduct'. The Mirror has said that it understands the sacking relates to the individual involved in the allegations referenced by the police.

Radio Times has reached out to Mills’s reps for comment.

Mills had originally risen to prominence presenting The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1 from 2004 to 2022, before making the move to BBC Radio 2. He took over Zoe Ball's Radio 2 breakfast show earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the BBC said after Mills's dismissal was announced: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC."

In an internal note to staff on Monday following the news that Mills had been sacked, Lorna Clarke, director of music at the BBC, said: "I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

"Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

"Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when I’m able to. While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now."