Scott Mills set to lose honorary doctorate following ‘personal conduct’ allegations
Former Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills could lose his honorary doctorate of arts from Southampton Solent University after being sacked by the BBC.
It is understood that the university’s honorary doctorate review board will recommend that the award be canceled when it meets in late April.
Mills received this honor in November 2009.
The BBC terminated the 53-year-old breakfast show host’s contract last month following allegations of “personal behaviour”.
The company later admitted it was aware of a police investigation into allegations of a historic sexual offense against Mills in 2017, but said it had “acted decisively” after receiving “new information” in the weeks before his dismissal.
Outgoing BBC director general Tim Davie said it had become “very clear” that Mills should be sacked.
Mr Davie described the decision as a “real shock to the organisation” when describing the incident in a meeting with all staff on his last day in office, BBC News reported.
On Wednesday, the former Radio 2 breakfast presenter said he had been subject to “rumor and speculation” since his sacking and that he had “fully co-operated” with the police investigation, which was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to lay charges.
Mr Davie, who took office as director general on Thursday, had been at the helm of the BBC since 2020 and the broadcaster has faced several controversies in recent years.
Asked if staff culture had changed during his tenure, Mr Davie reportedly said: “It will never be fully fixed, but I think it has changed, I really do.”
