BBC Presenter Suspended for Alleged Payment of Explicit Images to Teenager
A BBC presenter has been suspended after being accused of paying a teenager for explicit images. The allegations were first reported by The Sun, prompting panicked phone calls from the presenter to the young person. The star, whose identity is being withheld for legal reasons, reportedly asked the teenager, “What have you done?”
In an attempt to stop the investigation by the BBC, the presenter also tried to halt the involvement of the teenager’s mother, who appears to be the source of The Sun’s reporting. The mother had previously complained to the BBC about the presenter in May and later shared her child’s story with the tabloid.
The presenter was suspended on Sunday, and the BBC has contacted the Metropolitan Police regarding the allegations. The teenager was allegedly 17 years old when they first came into contact with the presenter in 2020. Possessing or commissioning explicit images of anyone under 18 is against the law in the UK.
The BBC stated that it took action after “new allegations” emerged last week, which were of a “different nature” from the previous complaint in May. The teenager’s family expressed their dissatisfaction with the BBC’s response, claiming that no one from the corporation interviewed them. BBC sources suggest that the complainant was not willing to engage.
The investigation into the allegations is being led by former police detective Jeff Brown. The teenager’s family has reportedly provided a dossier of evidence to support their claims. The BBC assured that it takes all allegations seriously and has robust internal processes to address such matters. They are working swiftly to establish the facts and determine appropriate next steps.
The BBC emphasized the importance of handling these matters fairly and with care. They stated that if new information emerges, it will be actively followed up. The corporation became aware of the original complaint in May, and new allegations were brought to their attention last week. Alongside their own inquiries, they have also contacted external authorities.
As the investigation continues, a male member of staff remains suspended. The BBC assures that they will provide further updates in the coming days. The BBC Board will be kept informed of the developments.