Tony Blackburn’s Full Statement After Sacking: ‘The BBC Have Made Me A Scapegoat’

Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn has claimed that the BBC have made him a “scapegoat” after they sacked him over evidence he gave to a sex abuse inquiry.

The 73-year-old insists that the evidence he gave to Dame Janet Smith’s review of the years that Jimmy Savile worked at the corporation went against the BBC’s own version of events.

He said the review, which is released later today, included claims about him seducing a 15-year-old girl - but that he was cleared of any wrongdoing.

He now plans to take legal action against the BBC over his sacking.

Here is Tony Blackburn’s statement in full:

“This week, two days before the publication of the Dame Janet Smith Report, the BBC informed me that all relationships I had with them were being terminated with immediate effect.

“I am told that the decision was taken, personally, by the Director General. Quite naturally, I am devastated.

"The reasons for the BBC taking this decision are that my evidence to Dame Janet Smith shows, I believe, that a cover-up took place - one that I had no knowledge of. This goes against what the BBC believe.

Review: Tony Blackburn gave evidence to a review of the year’s Jimmy Savile worked at the BBC (Rex)

"In 1971 allegations were made by the mother of a 15-year-old girl whose diary apparently contained suggestions that she had been seduced by celebrities including me.

"I am told that the mother told the BBC, a few weeks after her initial complaint, that her daughter had withdrawn the allegation against me.

"I have never seen the diary and neither has anyone at the BBC or the Dame Janet review.

"That same year this seemingly troubled teenager tragically took her own life.

"Dame Janet’s report makes no suggestion that I was guilty 45 years ago of any misconduct whatsoever with this girl. Nor did a coroner’s inquest or a subsequent police inquiry into her death.

"The BBC have made clear that they are not terminating my relationship with them because of any misconduct.

"They are destroying my career and reputation because my version of events does not tally with theirs.

"I was not guilty of any inappropriate conduct; my lawyers will take immediate action against anyone suggesting that I was.

"According to BBC records seen by Dame Janet, I was allegedly interviewed about the girl’s diary before her death in 1971 by a very senior figure at the BBC, Bill Cotton Jr.

Evidence: The BBC sacked Blackburn just before the review’s release (Rex)

"I was also, supposedly, interviewed by Brian Neill QC as part of his report into the Payola scandal at the BBC.

"I have repeatedly told Dame Janet and the BBC I was never interviewed by either man in this context and the BBC records are either very vague or have, conveniently, disappeared.

"Regardless of these facts, the BBC is axing me after five decades of broadcasting.

"Sadly what is happening to me now seems to be entirely in keeping with the past BBC culture of whitewash and cover-up.

"In 1967, I proudly opened Radio 1 for the BBC. Over the past 49 years I have enjoyed my time working for them immensely and I am grateful to my millions of listeners for their continued support over the decades.

"Sadly, despite being aware of my evidence for many months, if not years, the BBC have decided to make me a scapegoat and have taken away any future opportunity I have to broadcast for them.

"Naturally, I am now left with no choice but to take legal action against the BBC.

"They have taken away a career I love and I will not allow them to destroy my reputation.”

Top pic: Rex