Barry Tomes, who is representing Huw Edwards amid his own scandal, has spoken out on the sacking of BBC radio star Scott Mills
Huw Edwards‘ publicist has broken his silence on Scott Mills’ sacking. The disgraced former BBC newsreader enlisted Barry Tomes to represent him ahead of the broadcast of Channel 5 drama, Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, which documented the scandal in which the BBC presenter admitted to creating indecent images of children in 2024.
In yet another scandal for the public broadcaster, Scott Mills, who has been a BBC Radio favourite for decades, was axed from his BBC Breakfast show role following an allegation relating to his personal conduct.
It was then revealed that the allegation relates to a relationship with a male from more than ten years ago, and it then emerged that he was investigated for serious sex offence allegations over a teenage boy who was under the age of 16.
READ MORE: Scott Mills’ alleged victim ‘came forward after Huw Edwards drama’READ MORE: Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 colleague says sacking was ‘unfair’ after ‘sudden’ move
Now, Tomes has spoken out on the matter, and, according to the Daily Mail, he was quick to deny that he was now representing Mills in any way, and offered his own speculation as to what may have happened.
He said: “I am not a consultant for ex-BBC employees! My guess he said ‘thanks love’ when a runner gave him a cup of coffee. That person is now off sick with anxiety. This is the world we live in.”
It comes the day after the Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview in 2016, was investigated over allegations reported to have happened between 1997 and 2000. Today, BBC News reported that director general at the time, Tony Hall, was not aware of the allegations.
The investigation was dropped in 2019 after the CPS deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. As first reported by the Mirror, Mills was sacked over allegations relating to his ‘personal conduct’ after his final Breakfast Show last Tuesday.
Mills was abruptly taken off air and replaced by colleague Gary Davies without warning. He had signed off with: “See you tomorrow.”
The BBC then confirmed his sacking in a statement: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”
A source close to the BBC say they acted “quickly and decisively” last week following a complaint. The BBC is understood to have updated the complainant following Mills’ sacking, and are in contact with them.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “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.”
The Mirror broke news of the star presenter’s sacking on Monday morning shortly before BBC staff were informed by email. They were left “shell-shocked” by Mills’ departure, and there were “audible” gasps in the newsroom. It comes as the 53-year-old was taken off air last Wednesday following the unnamed person’s complaint while the BBC urgently assessed the information.
Mills, who only took over the flagship breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025, was then told his contract was terminated at the weekend. Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music told staff in an email: “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.”
She added: “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.”
The BBC said in a statement: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”
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