BBC refers presenter to police over teen images claims

The BBC has contacted Met Police over allegations a presenter paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos, and suspended the man in question.

A member of the media works outside BBC Broadcasting House in central London. Picture: AFP.

The BBC has contacted police over allegations a presenter paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos, and suspended the man in question.

As pressure increases on the broadcaster over the way it has handled the allegations, the corporation announced it suspended the unnamed man nearly two months after a complaint was first made by the alleged victim’s family.

The Sun newspaper, which first reported the claims, cited the young person’s mother as saying that an unnamed BBC presenter paid her child over £35,000 ($67,000) for the images over a three-year period.

It is also claimed the presenter in question appeared on air for a month after the family of the young person – who was said to be 17 when the payments started – complained to the BBC in May.

The mother said her son had used the money to support a crack habit.

“We just wanted the BBC to tell him to stop,” the mother said. “I’ve had three years of hell. The impact of this has been terrifying. My child was always a great student but there’s been a radical change of behaviour. It’s heartbreaking. In my mind that man was supplying the crack. My child wouldn’t have access to this money if it wasn’t for him. If it goes on then my child is going to wind up dead. Putting this out to the public is the only way to stop it.”

Since the allegations were published, a number of members of the public have contacted the Sun over the presenter’s behaviour on previous occasions, the newspaper reports.

UK culture minister Lucy Frazer said earlier she had spoken about the “deeply concerning” allegations with BBC Director General Tim Davie, who assured her the BBC is “investigating swiftly and sensitively”.

In a statement on Sunday, the BBC confirmed that it “first became aware of a complaint in May”.

“New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own inquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols,” it added.

The statement said that “a male member of staff has been suspended”.

“This is a complex and fast moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts in order to properly inform appropriate next steps,” the BBC added.

The BBC said it takes “any allegations seriously” and has “robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations”.

In an internal email sent to staff and quoted on the BBC website, Davie said he is “wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent”.

Since The Sun published the allegations, some BBC presenters have taken to social media to deny that they are the broadcaster in question.

Rylan Clark, whose BBC work includes Ready Steady Cook and Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, tweeted: “Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun- that ain’t me babe. I’m Currently filming a show in Italy for the bbc, so take my name out ya mouths”.

It's about time people on platforms like this one were held to account for the lies they spread. Good on @theJeremyVine@NickyAACampbell@Rylan and others. You can't just type any old thing that comes into your head without repercussions. https://t.co/qRug2VsjTg

— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) July 9, 2023

Jeremy Vine, who hosts a news program on BBC Radio 2 tweeted: “It certainly ain’t me.” “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday,” he said. “Whoever the ‘BBC presenter’ in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.” Vine also threatened lawsuits against people naming him on social media.

Gary Lineker, who fronts the BBC’s Match of the Day, tweeted: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.”

Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 8, 2023

The British broadcaster, whose chairman resigned in April after an inquiry found he failed to disclose a loan to ex-prime minister Boris Johnson, has come under fire over its handling of the claim.

Former home secretary and an MP from the ruling Conservative party, Priti Patel, has said the BBC’s response was “derisory”, adding: “They must provide the victim and his family a full and transparent investigation”.

“The BBC, but also other broadcasters, do need to get a grip because we seem to lurch from one scandal to another and more needs to be done,” opposition Labour party politician Rachel Reeves told Sky News on Sunday.

In May, British star TV host Phillip Schofield resigned from the ITV channel after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger colleague.

AFP