A male presenter, described as a “household name” at the BBC, has been accused of paying a teenager over £35,000 for sexually explicit photos. The allegations came to light after The Sun published the claims, leading to the suspension of the presenter by the broadcaster. While the accused presenter and the teenager involved have not been named, here’s what we know so far about the allegations and the response from the BBC.
According to The Sun, the alleged payments for sexually explicit photos took place over a three-year period, starting in 2020 when the teenager was 17 years old. The mother of the youth, now 20, revealed that she had seen bank account statements showing payments totaling more than £35,000, including a lump sum of £5,000. She further claimed that the presenter had requested “performances” from her child and that the money received was used to fuel a crack cocaine addiction, which had severely impacted their life.
The allegations were accompanied by additional claims published by The Sun on Sunday. The young person’s mother expressed her shock when her child showed her a screenshot of a video chat, where the presenter was allegedly sitting in his boxer shorts on a sofa at his home, seemingly preparing for the teenager’s performance. The mother also mentioned overhearing a phone call in which the presenter allegedly scolded her child for contacting him. She noted that the family complained to the BBC on May 19, but her child received a payment of £1,000 via PayPal in June, suggesting that the BBC had not addressed the issue.
However, the lawyer representing the young person denied the allegations made by the mother and referred to them as “rubbish.” In a letter to the BBC, the lawyer stated that nothing inappropriate or unlawful had occurred between their client and the accused BBC personality. The young person also sent a denial to The Sun, asserting that there was no truth to the allegations. The lawyer criticized the publication for still releasing the “inappropriate article” despite the denial.
The Sun has stood by its reporting, stating that concerned parents made a complaint to the BBC about the presenter’s behavior and the welfare of their child. The publication claimed to have seen evidence supporting the parents’ concerns and called for the BBC to conduct a proper investigation.
In response to the allegations, the young person’s mother expressed sadness and maintained the veracity of their account. The stepfather questioned the presenter’s ability to afford a lawyer and disputed the BBC’s claim that new allegations had prompted the suspension, stating that the family had already reported the misconduct when the youth was 20, not 17 as the BBC alleged.
Regarding the legality of the presenter’s actions, while the age of consent in the UK is 16, it is a crime to create or possess indecent images of individuals under 18. As of now, there is no ongoing police investigation, but the Metropolitan Police have met with BBC representatives to assess the information provided by the broadcaster and determine if any criminal offenses were committed.
The BBC announced the suspension of the male presenter on Sunday. The broadcaster had received a complaint in May, and on Thursday, they were presented with allegations of a different nature. The BBC confirmed its contact with external authorities and emphasized its commitment to a thorough and swift investigation to establish the facts.
As speculation circulates regarding the identity of the accused presenter, several BBC presenters have publicly declared their innocence. Rylan Clark, currently filming in Italy for the BBC, tweeted that he was not involved, echoing Jeremy Vine’s tweet that he would be back on air on Monday, emphasizing that he was not the presenter in question. Gary Lineker referenced his “haters” in a tweet, indirectly distancing himself from the allegations.
In response to the allegations, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer held urgent talks with BBC Director-General Tim Davie, who assured her that the BBC was investigating swiftly and sensitively. Frazer emphasized the need for the BBC to conduct a thorough investigation and pledged to stay informed on the matter.
Politicians have expressed their concerns about the handling of the claims by the BBC. Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves criticized broadcasters for acting with impunity and called for improved ethics and investigation procedures. Victoria Atkins, financial secretary to the Treasury, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and urged the BBC to promptly address the concerns raised by the public.
As the BBC continues its investigation, the public awaits further developments and the full disclosure of the facts surrounding the allegations against the accused presenter.
