BBC presenter scandal – latest: Star accused of breaking lockdown rule as colleague urges him to name himself

The BBC presenter at the centre of a sex scandal has been accused of breaking lockdown rules to meet an online date.

According to The Sun, messages suggest the TV personality visited the home of the person he met online and sent cash to them, with the paper further claiming that he travelled out of London in February 2021 to meet them.

The person, who has not been named, said: “He (The BBC star) came round for an hour. I was quite shocked that he broke the rules to come and meet me because of who he is. I was just a random person online.”

Meanwhile, Jeremy Vine has urged the unnamed figure to “come forward publicly” as speculation about their identity deepens.

“These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which I’m sure he loves, is on its knees with this”, Mr Vine tweeted.

The suspended broadcaster is also accused of paying £35,000 for images over three years which began when another individual, now aged 20, was 17.

Key Points

• Second young person felt threatened by BBC presenter

• BBC ‘pauses’ investigation into presenter while police examine case

• Accused presenter was not informed until last Thursday of allegations

• Allegations were ‘rubbish’, teenager’s lawyer says in letter to BBC

• BBC presenter suspended

• BBC has ‘very serious questions’ to answer over presenter in sexual image scandal

‘Come forward publicly’, Jeremy Vine urges BBC presenter

19:20 , Eleanor Noyce

Jeremy Vine has urged the BBC presenter to “come forward publicly” as speculation about their identity deepens.

“I’m starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly”, Mr Vine tweeted.

“These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which I’m sure he loves, is on its knees with this.

“But it is his decision and his alone.”

BBC presenter accused of breaking lockdown rules to meet online date

21:38 , Eleanor Noyce

A BBC star at the centre of sex scandal has been accused of breaking covid rules to meet someone he met on a dating app.

According to The Sun newspaper messages suggest the TV personality visited the home of the person he met online and sent cash to them.

He travelled on public transport to meet them out of London on February 18, 2021, the paper claims, weeks after the public were told they could only travel for work.

In an interview, the person, who has not been named, adds: “He (The BBC star) came round for an hour.

“I was quite shocked that he broke the rules to come and meet me because of who he is. I was just a random person online.

The newspaper has handed over evidence of the texts to The BBC.

Piers Morgan blasts BBC for refusing to name presenter at the centre of explicit photos row

20:48 , Eleanor Noyce

Piers Morgan has berated the BBC on Twitter for failing to name the presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun first reported last week that a high-profile broadcaster had paid more than £35,000 for explicit pictures and appeared in his underwear on a video call with a then-17-year-old.

The BBC confirmed on Sunday (9 July) it had made contact with the Metropolitan Police over the presenter’s reported actions.

Tom Murray reports:

Piers Morgan blasts BBC for refusing to name presenter in ‘sexual photos’ row

The Sun ‘not entirely on solid ground’, says former Guardian editor

20:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The former editor of The Guardian has expressed he feels that The Sun is “not entirely on solid ground” in its story regarding the allegations against a BBC presenter.

“If the story was pitched as high as they were pitching it initially.. they could have argued the public interest defence in court if there was subsequent legal action”, Alan Rusbridger told Sky News, stating that usually a newspaper would name a person it was accusing.

It was “curious” that The Sun had not, he added, noting that he felt it was “goading the BBC into trying to do their dirty work for them.”

‘Show us what you’ve got’, podcast urges The Sun on BBC presenter allegations

19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A podcast has urged The Sun to “show us what you’ve got” as the allegations against the BBC presenter continue.

“Surely the onus has to be on The Sun now”, presenter Jon Sopel told The News Agents podcast.

“Well, you know, put up or shut up. Show us what you’ve got. Because at the moment, all we had in The Sun last night after the youngster had made this statement through the lawyer was the parents saying ‘well, we stick by our story.’”

“Rule number one of journalism is it is meant to inform”, co-host Lewis Goodall added.

“It is meant to shed more light than it takes away.

“This as a piece of journalism clearly completely fails on that.

“Every day, we seem to know less.”

‘At some point the dam will burst’, says BBC’s former chief political correspondent

18:22 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC’s former chief political correspondent has described BBC director-general Tim Davie’s interview as “deeply embarrassing.”

“I think [the BBC will] stagger on waiting for someone else to break the news - or make the real allegation - as to who the famous presenter is”, John Sergeant told Sky News.

“My feeling is that at some point the dam will burst”, Mr Sergeant added.

“You can’t go on having this extraordinary kind of phoney war between BBC management, their own news staff and all the journalists from Fleet Street crying out for more information.”

Sunak’s press secretary calls for anyone with allegations to ‘come forward’

17:35 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak’s press secretary said anyone with similar allegations to come forward.

“We would call on those people to come forward to ensure that they are supported and their claims looked into,” they said.

Police force first contacted in April, BBC confirms

17:28 , Eleanor Noyce

Having received a statement from the force, the BBC has confirmed that a police force was contacted in April but that “no criminality was identified.”

The force has also now held meetings with both the Metropolitan Police and the BBC, and “as a result of recent developments, further enquiries are ongoing to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence.”

BBC on a ‘journey’ to uphold transparency, says Ofcom chair

17:20 , Holly Evans

The BBC is “on a journey” in its efforts to uphold transparency, the chairman of Ofcom has said.

Lord Grade of Yarmouth told the Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee: “The BBC in terms of its relationship with the commercial sector is a journey which they’re still on.

“We are pushing in detailed ways to ensure they’re much more timely in their publication of changes they may want to make so we can assess the market impact.”

Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of the watchdog, said efforts should be made so that people “don’t feel blindsided as they sometimes do by something that comes out a little bit too late.”

Asked what his assessment was of how well the BBC was doing in terms of upholding transparency, Lord Grade said: “I think they’re on a journey.”

BBC boss had been unable to comment on further allegations

16:55 , Holly Evans

During a press briefing around the BBC’s annual report, director-general Tim Davie said he was unable to comment on further allegations against the presenter due to an “active police discusssion” going on.

It has since been reported by BBC News that a second person has made an allegation against the TV star after being first contacted anonymously on a dating app.

The individual said that they were send abusive, expletive-filled messages after hinting online that they would reveal his identity.

The person, aged in their 20s, has no connection to the individual at the centre of the Sun’s story about payments for photos.

BBC News has contacted the presenter directly and via his lawyer but has received no response to the latest allegations.

BBC star sent ‘abusive messages’ to second young person after contact on dating app

16:28 , Holly Evans

A young person in their early 20s said they had felt threatened by messages received from the BBC presenter facing allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos, the broadcaster has reported.

According to the BBC, the individual met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked them not to tell anyone. The individual later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

Adam Forrest has more.

TV star sent ‘abusive messages’ to second young person after contact on dating app

BBC has seen ‘threatening messages’ and confirmed presenter’s phone number

16:19 , Holly Evans

According to the BBC, the person in their early 20s met the presenter on a dating app before their conversations moved to other platforms.

The presenter then revealed his identity and asked the young person not to tell anyone.

The young person later posted online alluding to having had contact with a BBC presenter and hinting they might name him.

The presenter then sent a number of “threatening messages” which the BBC says it has seen and confirmed came from a phone number belonging to the presenter.

The BBC said the young person felt “threatened” by the messages and “remain scared”.

BBC News said it had contacted the presenter via his lawyer but had received no response to the allegations.

Second young person felt threatened by BBC presenter

16:10 , Holly Evans

A young person in their early 20s felt threatened by messages they received from the BBC presenter facing allegations he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos, the broadcaster has reported.

Speaking to BBC News, the individual in their early 20s said they were first contacted anonymously by the male presenter on a dating app.

When the young person hinted online they might name the presenter, they were sent abusive messages and became frightened by the threats made in the messages.

Read BBC statement on presenter scandal in full as it admits seven-week delay

15:49 , Holly Evans

The BBC has admitted bosses only spoke to the top presenter at the centre of a sexual images scandal seven weeks after their family first complained.

The unnamed TV star is accused of paying £35,000 for images over three years to a the-17-year-old teenager, who is now aged 20.

Family members complained to the broadcaster on May 18 but it has since emerged that only two follow-up attempts via email and phone were made by the BBC’s Corporate Investigations Team.

Holly Evans has more

Read BBC statement on presenter scandal in full as it admits seven-week delay

Broadcasters frustrated at Tim Davie interview - ‘It beggars belief’

15:47 , Holly Evans

Following the interview with Tim Davie on BBC Radio Four’s World at One programme, Sky News journalist Katie Spencer said: “All of us broadcasters have asked for interviews with Tim Davie. We’ve been told he’s not giving any interviews.

“If the BBC open, fair, honest and it is up front about what’s going on - to only give an interview to a BBC outlet; to avoid walking in any of the entrances or exits here at the building - for Tim Davie to have gone in via the loading bay to avoid answering of our questions - it just beggars belief.”

Board of the BBC must take ‘full responsibility,’ says Ofcom chair

15:40 , Holly Evans

The board of the BBC must take “full responsibiliy” for the current crisis, the chairman of Ofcom said as he downplayed the prospects of the family at the centre of the claims being able to pursue a complaint with the broadcasting watchdog.

Appearing before the Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee, Baron Michael Grade was asked whether the family may have “recourse” to contact Ofcom if the case is not found to be a matter for the police and they are dissatisfied with the BBC’s own handling of the allegations.

He replied: “I very much doubt it. I think it (wouldn’t) be unless it was a specific programme complaint, a content complaint or a complaint that the BBC had somehow breached its charter… then obviously we would look at it, but I don’t see us getting involved in this one way or another.”

Lord Grade added: “It is for the board of the BBC to take full responsibility for this present crisis.”

Ofcom said ‘governance’ is a matter for the board of the corporation

15:33 , Holly Evans

The chairman of Ofcom said the “management” and “governance” of the BBC is “entirely a matter for the board” of the corporation.

Lord Grade of Yarmouth told the Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee: “There’s a danger that what this current furore might confuse is the role of Ofcom and the role of the BBC.

“We need to be absolutely clear that the public interest in the BBC, the money, its independence, its standard of journalism, its quality of management – that resides singly and solely with the board of the BBC. They are the BBC.”

He added: “Ofcom’s role is very clearly defined and very limited, we create the operating licence under which the BBC television and radio broadcast, we make sure they stick to the licence, we’re there as a court of appeal as it were for members of the public who have not had satisfaction going through the BBC complaints procedure, and we generally monitor the BBC’s performance against its purposes.

“We have nothing to do with the management of the BBC, the governance of the BBC, that is entirely a matter for the board of the BBC.”

Key points from Tim Davie grilling

15:14 , Holly Evans

BBC director general Tim Davie has publicly commented on the corporation’s presenter scandal for the first time.

A presenter has been accused of paying a person £35,000 for explicit images over three years which began when the person, now aged 20, was 17, in allegations published by The Sun.

BBC explicit image scandal: Key points from Tim Davie grilling

BBC reveal highest paid talent in annual review

15:10 , Holly Evans

Gary Lineker is the BBC’s highest paid on-air talent for the sixth consecutive year and the only star to earn more than £1 million in the year 2022/2023, according to the corporation’s annual report.

While there are four women in the top 10 list of highest earners, none of them has broken the £1 million threshold.

The salaries of the corporation’s top talent have been unveiled while the BBC is under pressure over allegations an unnamed presenter paid a teenager for explicit images.

Laura Harding has more.

Gary Lineker remains at top of list of BBC’s highest paid on-air talent

Met Police release new statement

14:55 , Holly Evans

In a recent statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “We have asked the BBC to pause its own investigation while we continue our assessment to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed.

“The assessment is being led by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command and follows a virtual meeting with representatives from the BBC on the morning of Monday, 10 July.

“There remains no police investigation at this time.”

Tim Davie says he has not spoken to accused BBC presenter

14:35 , Holly Evans

In an interview with BBC Radio Four’s World at One programme, the director-general said that he had not spoken directly with the accused presenter, but that a “very senior manager” had been in contact.

Row ‘clearly damaging’ for BBC, admits Tim Davie – but defends handling of complaint

14:20 , Holly Evans

BBC director-general Tim Davie was also grilled on Radio 4’s World at One about whether the corporation had acted quickly enough on initial complaint made by the young person’s family.

Asked what exactly the initial complaint was, and why it was not considered potentially criminal until claims made in The Sun on 6 July, Mr Davie said he “cannot get into specifics” but accepted “they were clearly serious allegations”.

He told the programme it was right not to put the initial allegation to the presenter at the centre of the allegation until efforts were made to “verify” the complaint.

Asked if the presenter has denied the claim, Mr Davie: “I’m not going to get into specific conversations with the presenter.”

Asked if further allegations had been made against the presenter, the director-general said: “Because this is the subject of an active police discussion in terms of what they want to do looking forward ... I cannot comment on that.”

Asked if he was saying that he was “satisfied” with the timing of the BBC’s handling of complaint, he said: “No I think that’s the wrong characterisation.”

He added that the BBC had to “learn lessons” and said he wanted to make sure the process for how serious complaints are “red flagged” to be “immediately reviewed”. On the impact of the row, Mr Davie admitted said “The BBC is often in the midst of quite painful and difficult affairs and storms, and these are clearly damaging to the BBC. And it’s not a good thing for the BBC.”

‘Everyone in the building knows who it is’: BBC host grills Tim Davie

14:01 , Holly Evans

Director-general Tim Davie has been grilled by BBC Radio 4’s World At One, where he was told “everyone in the building” knows the identity of the presenter at the centre of allegations.

Host Sarah Montague said: “He’s not been named. Everyone is this building knows who it is. And there’s a lot of people who you also have a duty of care presenters on air, who are having to go on air to say it’s not them … It’s not a sustainable situation, is it?”

Mr Davie said: “It is a very difficult and complex situation, and we are trying to calmly and judiciously navigate our way through quite difficult circumstances.”

He added: “It is absolutely not the right thing to be doing to speculate. Some of the malicious stuff online, I would condemn.”

Mr Davie again confirmed that he had not spoken to the presenter directly – but said it was “appropriate” for a “very senior manager” to have spoken to the BBC star after The Sun approached the corporation with new claims.

Director-general has not spoken to suspended presenter

13:32 , Holly Evans

In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme, the director-general said that he had not spoken directly with the suspended presenter, who has not been named.

Tim Davie added that a senior manager had been in contact with the well-known presenter, who was first made aware of the allegations on July 6.

He described it as a “very difficult and complex situation”.

When asked about further allegations against the presenter, he said he “absolutely cannot comment” as the police continue to investigate.

The Sun questions why allegations ‘weren’t escalated’ by BBC

13:24 , Holly Evans

The Sun, in response to the BBC setting out its timeline, said: “It seems to us that the family is being attacked by the BBC for not fully understanding their complaints system.”

“It remains to be understood why the allegations weren’t escalated and the presenter was not spoken to at the time.”

Lee Anderson claim BBC is ‘safe haven for perverts’ rejected by No 10

13:13 , Adam Forrest

No 10 has rejected comments made by Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson about the BBC being a “safe haven for perverts”.

The right-wing Tory MP said on Monday: “It’s time this taxpayer-funded safe haven for perverts was made a subscription service.”

Asked if Mr Sunak agree, his official spokesman said: “The BBC is a vital institution much cherished by the British public and continues to do vital and important work. It is important they establish the facts and act appropriately.”

Tim Davie grilled on presenter’s bank accounts and phone

13:00 , Holly Evans

Asked if the BBC had asked the presenter for his bank statements or asked for his phone before their own inquiries were paused, Mr Davie said it was “not right to comment” now that the police are looking at the matter.

Asked if the BBC had ascertained who is paying for the young person’s lawyer, Mr Davie said it wasn’t a matter for the corporation.

Mr Davie did not give a direct answer when asked if he was “hopeful” that the BBC presenter would be back on-air if he is cleared.

The director-general said he had not spoken directly to the presenter. He would not comment when asked if the presenter had offered to resign.

He also said he had asked the corporation’s chief operating officer to assess whether the BBC’s protocols and procedures are “appropriate” in light of the allegations presenter. “Of course there will be lessons to be learnt, and how processes could be improved.”

BBC handled allegations ‘judiciously’, says Tim Davie

12:58 , Holly Evans

BBC director-general Tim Davie said the corporation had handled the allegations made against that a BBC presenter had paid a teenager for explicit images “responsibly and judiciously”.

The BBC revealed that it has been asked to pause its investigation into allegations “while the police scope future work” following a meeting with the Metropolitan Police. The broadcaster also set out a timeline of the row.

It showed the corporation had only tried to contact the family member of the young person twice, once by email and once by phone, in the period after the initial complaint on 19 May and The Sun story being published.

It also showed that the BBC did not hold any conversation with the presenter about the family member’s claims until The Sun approached the BBC about its story – seven weeks after the initial complaint.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Davie said it was “clearly a complex and difficult situation” where the BBC had to manage a number of factors – including “sensitively managing duty of care issues, appropriately respecting the privacy of individuals and justified public interest”.

He added: “We do believe we are navigating these responsibly and judiciously, but we recognise it’s not easy to do so.” The director-general said he had “faith” that the public would see the BBC is “doing the right thing”.

Asked about the difference between the complaint on 19 May and the complaint made in The Sun story on 6 July – Mr Davie said those “those new allegations [in The Sun] clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality – that in a nutshell is the difference”.

Grilled on why the initial allegation did not get put to the presenter for seven weeks, Mr Davie said: “I think it’s right they should make contact with the individual who made the initial allegation and get some verification.”

Accused presenter was not informed until last Thursday of allegations

12:37 , Holly Evans

BBC boss Tim Davie said the unnamed presenter was first talked to last Thursday on the day the allegations in The Sun came to the BBC.

He said the BBC received a call on 19 May, which was taken by the BBC services team, before an investigation by the corporate services team.

“It was serious but their assessment was it didn’t include an allegation of criminality,” he said.

Just two attempts were made to contact the family before The Sun approached the BBC on July 6.

Downing Street denies Sunak is avoiding finding out identity of BBC presenter

12:30 , Holly Evans

Downing Street has denied that Rishi Sunak is trying to avoid finding out who the suspended BBC presenter is, in order to evade questions.

When this was put to the Prime Minister’s official spokesman, he told reporters: “I wouldn’t characterise it like that.

“I mean, the Prime Minister is at the Nato summit and yesterday had the president of the United States here, so obviously his time is taken up with those issues.

“It’s for the BBC and others to look into this one.”

‘There will be lessons to be learned,’ says TV boss

12:22 , Holly Evans

Tim Davie said he has asked Leigh Tavaziva, the BBC’s Group chief operating officer, to assess whether its protocols and procedures are appropriate in light of this case, and report to the BBC Board on this in due course.

Speaking at a press conference about the BBC’s annual report, Davie said: “Of course there will be lessons to be learned, and how processes could be improved.

“Immediately I have asked that we assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation.

“We will take time to properly review the current protocols and procedures to ensure they remain sufficient based on anything we learn from this case.”

BBC assessed no allegation of criminality in May complaint

12:11 , Holly Evans

When asked about the difference between the complaint on May 19 and the complaint made in The Sun story, Tim Davie said: “The process is that we did receive a call as you can see in the timeline on May 19 that was taken by Audience Services Team who then make a summary of the call and put it to our highly experienced Corporate Investigations team.

“On the basis of the information they had at that point, it did not include an allegation of criminality, but none the less was very serious and they wanted to follow it up, and you can see the attempts to follow it up on the timeline.

“It was serious but the key was their assessment was it did not include an allegation of criminality.

“When The Sun made new allegations on July 6 they were different to the matters considered by BBC Corporate Investigations and those new allegations clearly related to potential criminal activity, criminality, that in a nutshell is the difference.”

BBC sets out a timeline of presenter allegations

12:05 , Holly Evans

18 May – A family member of the young man attended a BBC building to try to make a complaint about the behaviour of a BBC presenter. And on 19 May, the family member contacted BBC audience services, before the details of the allegation were referred to the BBC’s corporate investigations team.

19 May – the BBC’s corporate investigations team assessed that it did not include an allegation of criminality, but then emailed the family member to see additional information – but said there was no response.

6 June – Having received no response to the email referenced above, a phone call was made to the mobile number provided by the family member by this call did not connect.

6 July – The Sun newspaper informed the BBC via the press office of allegations concerning a BBC presenter. The claims made by The Sun contained new allegations –different to the matters being considered from 10 May. This was the first time that the director-general or any executive directors at the BBC were aware of the case.

6 July – the BBC initiated an incident management group to lead the response to this case, involving senior BBC executives including the director-general. The acting chairman was updated, and the board was regularly updated in the coming days.

6 July – A senior manager held the first conversation on this matter with the presenter concerned, to make him aware of the claims being outlined by The Sun. It was agreed that the presenter would not be on air while this matter was being considered.

7 July – the BBC’s corporate investigations team contacted the family member again. The BBC’s Serious Case Management Framework (SCMF) was initiated and the investigation brought into the SCMF. The BBC also made contact with the police.

8 July – The family member sent the BBC some materials related to the allegation. More material was sent on 9 July.

9 July – The BBC issued an update to staff and the media; the BBC also confirmed that it had suspended the presenter.

10 July – The BBC met with the Metropolitan Police. The police requested that the BBC pause its investigations into the allegations while they scope future work.

BBC ‘pauses’ investigation into presenter while police examine case

12:00 , Holly Evans

The BBC has said it has paused its investigations into the allegations about its presenter after a meeting with the Metropolitan Police chiefs on Sunday.

The corporation said it had been asked to put the matter on hold while Scotland Yard “scope” future work on the matter.

BBC director-general Tim Davie told reporters that the broadcaster had “not been given a timescale” by police for their inquiries.

Mr Davie also said that if any further information came to light in the meantime, it would be passed onto the police.

BBC director-general to face media at midday

11:41 , Holly Evans

The BBC director-general is due to appear at noon to deliver the corporation’s annual report, which usually details their highest-paying presenters.

Tim Davie will face questions from journalists for the first time since the BBC suspended an unnamed male presenter who has been accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos

Rishi Sunak declines to comment on report MPs could name BBC presenter

10:49 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak has declined to comment on reports some MPs could be considering naming under the protection of parliamentary privilege the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images.

On his trip to the Nato summit in Lithuania, the Prime Minister said: “We have an existing set of laws that govern free speech and privacy.

“I think it’s important that the BBC conducts this investigation quickly and rigorously given the concerning and serious nature of the allegations.”

He said the Government “is confident the BBC is investigating this both rigorously and rapidly” and that this is “the right course of action”.

Sunak ‘shocked’ by BBC presenter allegations

10:30 , Holly Evans

Rishi Sunak has said he was “shocked” at the allegations against a top BBC presenter.

The prime minister said he had not been told who the claims were about, and said the government had been assured that the issue was being handled swiftly by the BBC.

The young person at the centre of the controversy said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed presenter, however their mother reportedly stands by the claims made in The Sun newspaper, which reported he paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images.

On his way to the NATO summit in Lithuania, Mr Sunak said: “They were shocking and concerning allegations, of course they were”.

Asked if he had been told the name of the star at the centre of the claims, he said: “No”.

Mr Sunak said the culture secretary Lucy Frazer has talked with the director general of the BBC on Sunday for reassurance that the process is “rigorous and will be swift”. He added it was important to let that process “carry on”.

Urge BBC and Sun to name presenter, former culture secretary tells ministers

10:16 , Holly Evans

Former culture secretary David Mellor called on the government to urge the Sun and the BBC to name the presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexual images.

Mr Mellor said the BBC should “breathe out” and identify the unnamed employee, allowing him to defend himself publicly as so many people already know who he is.

Mr Mellor told Times Radio: “It’s now got to the point where it’s quite damaging that so many people know but a lot of people don’t. Information should be open to all. And I think that the BBC should just breathe out.”

He said the BBC should “of course” name the presenter. And Mr Mellor said: “The government has got to maintain the credibility of a state publicly funded broadcasting organisation, it should say to them, as it should say to The Sun, publish and be damned. Let’s have it out there. Why hasn’t The Sun published any of this?

“The public has a right to know this has dragged on for long enough. They’ve made a perfectly legitimate effort to protect a senior and valued employee, but it’s gone beyond that.”

Why has star not been named and could they be jailed over explicit photos?

09:47 , Holly Evans

A high-profile BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager more than £35,000 for explicit pictures.

Once the allegations went public, the now-suspended star said, “what have you done?” in an effort to try and “stop the investigation”, it has been claimed.

It came afterThe Sun reported last week how the star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call and began paying the person for explicit content when the complainant was 17.

Oliver Pritchard-Jones has more.

Why has BBC presenter not been named and could they be jailed over explicit photos?

09:43 , Holly Evans

The BBC’s director-general is due to face reporters later today following the publication of the BBC’s annual report, which typically reveals how much the biggest earners make.

A former legal correspondent for the corporation said Tim Davie “will have to say something” about the allegations facing one of his presenters.

Speaking to Sky News, Joshua Rozenberg said: “Certainly, I think there are questions to be answered.

“The BBC will certainly have to say something at the news briefing today.”

However, he said Mr Davie might simply say that he “cannot answer” any questions about the scandal.

“I’m sure the BBC would like to be able to say something and I very much hope the BBC has a statement at the very least saying why it can’t say what we want it to answer,” he added.

“Presumably, this is because it owes a duty to the presenter not to throw him under the bus.”

The claims and timeline of allegations

09:09 , Holly Evans

A BBC presenter allegedly paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, according to a report published on Friday.

The family of the teenager reportedly complained to the BBC in May but the broadcaster said that “new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature”, according to the Sun.

BBC boss Tim Davie was summoned for crisis talks on Sunday as it emerged that the company had known of the allegations against the star presenter for almost two months now.

Timeline of allegations against BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images

‘The presenter is entitled to privacy,’ says media lawyer

09:04 , Holly Evans

Media lawyer Mark Stephens has shed some light on the privacy issues surrounding this case.

In an interview with BBC Breakfast, he said: “The presenter is entitled to privacy.”

In 2018, in an entirely separate dispute, Sir Cliff Richard won a privacy case against the BBC over its coverage of a police raid on his home in Berkshire.

Stephens says that the judge said from that case onwards “if someone was a suspect but there was no investigation, no charge, then they had a reasonable expectation of privacy”.

He adds that the “rationale for that is quite sensible” because no-one has all the facts at that early stage.

Cabinet minister says he won’t use his parliamentary privilege to name BBC presenter

08:21 , Holly Evans

Cabinet minister says he won’t use his parliamentary privilege to name BBC presenter

Government minister warns MPs against naming BBC presenter using parliamentary privilege

08:12 , Holly Evans

A government minister has urged MPs not to name the BBC presenter at the heart of a scandal over allegations he paid a teenager for explicit images.

Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said parliamentary privilege, which lets MPs speak in the Commons without fear of legal repercussions, should be “used very sparingly and with great thought”.

Asked whether the presenter’s identity should be revealed, Mr Stride told Sky News: “I can only speak for myself and say that that is certainly something that I would not choose to do.” He said: “I would personally certainly not be doing that.

“Members of parliament do have a right to privilege and to be able to say things in the commons without fear of legal repercussions.

“But I think that is a privilege that should be used very sparingly, and with great thought.”

It followed suggestions in the Daily Mail that MPs were considering naming the individual in the Commons.

Cabinet Minister says BBC should be given ‘space’ to investigate

07:57 , Holly Evans

A Cabinet minister has urged people to “resist… the urge to opine on” the allegations that a BBC presenter paid a teenager for sexually explicit images, and about how the allegations are being dealt with.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Sky News: “Once it’s all over and concluded, I think that is most certainly the time to be looking at whether things were done correctly or not.

“But at the moment, it seems to me this is a highly fluid, unknown situation and we should give the BBC a bit of space.

“It’s really important that all of us resist, to the extent that we can, the urge to opine on what was right, or what was outrageous or wrong, until we know all the facts.”

Asked about the BBC’s handling of the situation, he said: “We don’t know enough of the facts to be able to start pointing too many fingers yet at the process.

“I think we have to wait till this has played out as quickly and effectively as possible, and that’s what the Secretary of State (for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) has been pushing for. And then we can start to make those judgments.”

BBC director-general to face the media today

07:32 , Holly Evans

Director-general Tim Davie is due to face the media on Tuesday for a scheduled briefing following the release of the corporation’s annual report, although the controversy will dominate the agenda.

The report, planned before the allegations came out, is an assessment of the BBC’s performance over the last 12 months.

It typically reveals the pay remuneration of the corporation’s biggest earners, with Mr Davie also expected to answer questions about stars’ pay packets.

BBC scandals involving high-profile stars to have shocked over the years

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC has been hit by several scandals involving high-profile stars over the years.

The broadcaster’s reputation has been rocked by a series of wrongdoings which have raised questions about its culture and practices, including allegations of sexual abuse and fraud.

After the suspension of an unnamed BBC presenter amid claims he paid a teenager for sexually explicit photographs, the PA news agency looks at the scandals associated with the corporation over the years:

BBC scandals involving high-profile stars to have shocked over the years

Voices: ‘Trial by Twitter’ for those named in the BBC scandal is desperately unfair – and dangerous

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

“It doesn’t take very long to browse social media and find out who the BBC “presenter” in the news is not.

“It’s not Gary Lineker, it’s not Rylan Clark, it’s not Jeremy Vine, it’s not Nicky Campbell and it’s not any of the other people who’ve felt it necessary to make a denial.

“All have been forced, almost blackmailed, into this by the keyboard sleuths of Twitter calling them a “nonce”, the accumulated malign speculation helpfully collated by suitable hashtags. Suddenly, we’ve all acquired the brilliant digital forensic skills of Colleen Rooney.”

This doesn’t feel very much like a lawful process, let alone natural justice, for whoever it is. It feels like a modern, digital version of lynching – and any celebrity will do, writes Sean O’Grady:

‘Trial by Twitter’ of BBC presenters is unfair – and dangerous | Sean O’Grady

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasn’t he been named?

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A BBC presenter allegedly paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, according to a report published on Friday.

The family of the teenager reportedly complained to the BBC in May but the broadcaster said that “new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature”, according to the Sun.

BBC boss Tim Davie was summoned for crisis talks on Sunday as it emerged that the company had known of the allegations against the star presenter for almost two months now.

Read more:

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasn’t he been named?

BBC presenter scandal: Could suspended star be jailed over explicit photos?

Tuesday 11 July 2023 00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

A high-profile BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager more than £35,000 for explicit pictures.

Once the allegations went public, the now-suspended star said, “what have you done?” in an effort to try and “stop the investigation”, it has been claimed.

It came afterThe Sun reported last week how the star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call and began paying the person for explicit content when the complainant was 17.

Oliver Pritchard-Jones reports:

BBC presenter scandal : Could suspended star be jailed over explicit photos?

Timeline of allegations about BBC presenter

Monday 10 July 2023 23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

The BBC has suspended a male member of staff following allegations an unnamed presenter paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

However, the young person at the centre of the controversy said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened.

Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the emergence and fallout from the allegations.

Cormac Pearson reports:

Timeline of allegations about BBC presenter

‘Dangerous absence of facts’ in presenter story, says former BBC News exec

Monday 10 July 2023 21:41 , Eleanor Noyce

Former BBC News executive Tim Luckhurst has warned of a “dangerous absence of facts” in the BBC presenter story.

“This story has been marked from the beginning by a dangerous absence of facts, at every stage there have been more questions than answers and that remains the case tonight”, Mr Luckhurst told the BBC.

“The emphasis has shifted - now it seems that the parents may have raised concerns with The Sun concerns which did not directly reflect the concerns of their child.

“But at no stage in this story have we seen the full details that The Sun purports to have.

“I am beginning to suspect that the problem is that the facts are not entirely clear to The Sun, they’re not clear to the BBC either.”

Young person and mother estranged, lawyer claims in letter

Monday 10 July 2023 21:18 , Eleanor Noyce

Revealing more details from the letter penned by the young person’s lawyer, the BBC has reported that they and their mother are estranged.

Criticising both The Sun and the BBC for failing to contact their client, the lawyer further claims that the reporting has amounted to an invasion of privacy.

“Nobody from The Sun newspaper appears to have made any attempt to contact our client prior to the publication of the allegations on Friday 6 July”, the lawyer writes.

Presenter scandal ‘big moment for British tabloid journalism’, senior broadcaster says

Monday 10 July 2023 21:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Former ITN chief executive Stewart Purvis has said the allegations against the unnamed BBC presenter mark a “big moment for British tabloid journalism.”

“I had been surprised all along that The Sun never showed any paper evidence... no paper trail such as a bank statement to support their allegations. But they are standing by their journalism”, Mr Purvis told Sky News.

“This is actually a pretty big moment for British tabloid journalism, as much as it for the BBC”, he added, noting that those who have made allegations via social media might “pause for thought.”

‘The presenter has got into their head’, says teenager’s parents as they stand by claims

Monday 10 July 2023 20:51 , Eleanor Noyce

The parents of a teenager who was allegedly paid around £35,000 for sexually explicit images by a BBC presenter have stood by their claims, The Sun reports.

“It is sad but we stand by our account and we hope they get the help they need”, the teenager’s mother told The Sun.

“We did this to help - and the presenter has got into their head. How did they afford a lawyer? We are so sad.”

“It’s not true”, their stepfather added, remarking that he was “disappointed” they had made a statement via their lawyer which said the claims were “rubbish.”

‘Why didn’t they print the denial?’, asks reporter of The Sun following lawyer’s claim allegations are ‘rubbish’

Monday 10 July 2023 19:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Following claims from the teenager’s lawyer in a letter to the BBC that the allegations are “rubbish”, a crime and policing commentator has raised questions over The Sun’s reporting.

“It raises the question now, certainly for The Sun newspaper, if it’s correct that they [the teenager’s lawyer] issued a denial on Friday…why didn’t it print that denial?”, Danny Shaw told LBC.

“Even if it went ahead with the story because it felt the story was justified and accurate and so on, it still should’ve printed a denial.”

‘The situation at the moment is really great for The Sun’, says ex-editor

Monday 10 July 2023 18:49 , Eleanor Noyce

“The situation at The Sun at the moment is they’re very happy, because they have the BBC and Tim Davie, the director general, where they want that institution, which is in trouble”, former editor of The Sun, David Yelland said on The News Agents podcast.

“You have to remember that The Sun and most of the rest of what was Fleet Street has an ideological and commercial hatred of the BBC. So from Victoria Newton’s point of view, who is the editor of The Sun at the moment, she is a heroine in her own company at the moment with Rupert Murdoch and everybody else because the BBC is in the dock”, Mr Yelland added.

“So the situation at the moment is really great for The Sun. They don’t need to name.

“As soon as the name comes out and more facts come out, it may be the story becomes a different kind of story, so actually it’s not in The Sun’s interest necessarily to name the person, for that reason.”

Lawyer for youngster at centre of BBC presenter sex case says ‘nothing inappropriate happened’

Monday 10 July 2023 18:34 , Eleanor Noyce

The teenager at the centre of the BBC presenter scandal has said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed star accused of paying them £35,000 for sexually explicit images.

In another day of extraordinary drama, they said the allegations published in The Sun, were “rubbish”, in a letter issued by their lawyer to the broadcaster.

The claim comes hours after the Metropolitan Police confirmed “there is no investigation at this time” following a weekend of online speculation over the identity of the male star, believed to be a household name.

Holly Evans has the full story:

Lawyer for youngster at centre of BBC presenter sex case says claims are ‘rubbish’

Parents' complaint ‘was not acted upon by the BBC’, The Sun claims

Monday 10 July 2023 18:27 , Eleanor Noyce

Following allegations that a BBC presenter paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, The Sun has claimed that their parents’ complaint “was not acted upon by the BBC.”

A spokesperson for The Sun said: “We have reported a story about two very concerned parents who made a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of a presenter and the welfare of their child.

“Their complaint was not acted upon by the BBC. We have seen evidence that supports their concerns. It’s now for the BBC to properly investigate.”

Allegations were ‘rubbish’, teenager’s lawyer says in letter to BBC

Monday 10 July 2023 18:12 , Eleanor Noyce

The teenager at the centre of the BBC controversy has said nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened with the unnamed male presenter and that the allegations were “rubbish”, their lawyer has said in a letter to the BBC.

“For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in the Sun newspaper are rubbish”, the lawyer writes in the letter, the BBC reports.

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasn’t he been named?

Monday 10 July 2023 17:30 , Holly Evans

A BBC presenter allegedly paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, according to a report published on Friday.

The family of the teenager reportedly complained to the BBC in May but the broadcaster said that “new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature”, according to the Sun.

BBC boss Tim Davie was summoned for crisis talks on Sunday as it emerged that the company had known of the allegations against the star presenter for almost two months now.

The BBC confirmed that the male presenter has been suspended and taken off air for the coming days.

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasn’t he been named?

Eamonn Holmes says BBC are ‘prolonging the inevitable’

Monday 10 July 2023 17:05 , Holly Evans

Speaking on GB News, he said: “I’m not sure exactly why the presenter hasn’t been named yet.

“I’m not sure whose purpose that serves because sure as heck, that name will be out in the next couple of days.

“I mean, they’re only just prolonging the inevitable on this.”

He added: “The Sun newspaper has a direct relationship with the family involved so they know everything that is going on.

“And they believe that they have the presenter bang to rights on this one, there’s no getting out of it.”

BBC at risk of looking ‘ridiculous’, says former Guardian editor

Monday 10 July 2023 16:45 , Holly Evans

The BBC is at risk of looking “ridiculous” should it not release the name of the suspended presenter soon, the former editor of The Guardian has said.

“This information, when it comes out, will be potentially career-ending, it could be criminal, it could be the end of this person’s freedom,” Alan Rusbridger told Sky News.

“It’s a very big decision as to when to release it, but I think increasingly it will look ridiculous if [the BBC] don’t come out and make some kind of statement soon.”

No Met investigation ‘at this time’ into BBC presenter

Monday 10 July 2023 15:46 , Holly Evans

Detectives are assessing information discussed in a virtual meeting with the BBC over allegations a presenter paid a teenager for sexual images but there is no investigation “at this time”, the Metropolitan Police said.

A Met statement said: “Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command met with representatives from the BBC on the morning of Monday, 10 July. The meeting took place virtually.

“They are assessing the information discussed at the meeting and further enquiries are taking place to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed.

“There is no investigation at this time.”

Met Police investigating ‘malicious communications’ report

Monday 10 July 2023 15:41 , Holly Evans

Scotland Yard has just released the following statement, saying it will investigate “malicious communications” regarding online speculation surrounding a suspended BBC presenter.

“On Saturday police received a report of malicious communication in relation to a post on social media.

“An investigation is under way and enquiries are ongoing, there have been no arrests.”

Lee Anderson calls BBC ‘a safe haven for perverts’

Monday 10 July 2023 14:55 , Holly Evans

The Tory party’s right-wing deputy chairman Lee Anderson has branded the BBC a “safe haven for prevents”.

Mr Anderson told the Express: “The BBC have given us a whole raft of perverts including Jimmy Savile, Rolf Harris and Stuart Hall. Why is anyone shocked? … It’s time this tax payer funded safe haven for perverts was made a subscription service.”

Fellow Tory right-winger Philip Davis said: “Tim Davie has a lot of explaining to do - why they did nothing until it surfaced in the papers when a complaint had gone in over a month ago.”

Tory MP Marco Longhi added: “This latest event just shows how, again, the organisation seems to be more concerned about its own reputation management than facts and transparency Tim Davie should be answering these questions.”

‘Lot more to the case than meets the eye,’ former BBC editor says

Monday 10 July 2023 14:43 , Holly Evans

A former BBC News editor said he thinks “there is a lot more to the case than meets the eye”.

Sir Craig Oliver, who was director of communications for David Cameron at No 10 Downing Street and was a senior editor at BBC News, said: “I do think that alarm bells should be ringing for all of us.”

He told Today on Radio 4: “We’re on day three of this story, it has been the front page of The Sun for the last three days and they still have not named the presenter.”

Sir Craig says The Sun has likely been advised against taking that step because “the burden of proof, in a lot of ways, has not been met”.

Could suspended star be jailed over explicit photos?

Monday 10 July 2023 14:16 , Holly Evans

A high-profile BBC presenter has been accused of paying a teenager more than £35,000 for explicit pictures.

Once the allegations went public, the now-suspended star said, “what have you done?” in an effort to try and “stop the investigation”, it has been claimed.

It came afterThe Sun reported last week how the star allegedly appeared in his underwear in a video call and began paying the person for explicit content when the complainant was 17.

Oliver Pritchard-Jones has more

BBC presenter scandal : Could suspended star be jailed over explicit photos?

BBC’s Nicky Campbell reacts to being falsely named in teen explicit pictures scandal

Monday 10 July 2023 14:00 , Holly Evans

BBC’s Nicky Campbell reacts to being falsely named in teen explicit pictures scandal

Jeremy Vine addresses presenter scandal in radio show

Monday 10 July 2023 13:55 , Holly Evans

Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine has now taken to the air for the first time since he was accused of being the unnamed presenter over the weekend.

He wrote on social media on Saturday: “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday — whoever the “BBC Presenter” in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.”

He began his show today by saying: “It goes without saying that, for legal reasons, we won’t name the person, but during the day it may change, you may find that there are developments, but let’s see.”

Mr Vine also addressed social media speculation linking him to the unnamed presenter, after saying he’d been “smacked around on Twitter”.

“By virtue of me talking into this microphone, I can’t believe I’m even having to say this: It can’t be me.”

Monday 10 July 2023 13:35 , Holly Evans

A top lawyer who led the prosecution in the Rochdale grooming gang cases, said he was “surprised that this person was not suspended once [the BBC] became aware of the gravity of the allegation”.

Nazir Afzal added: “The police should have been engaged as soon as they worked out whether the complaint was genuine. Where are we now the middle of July? Six, seven weeks on.

“They should have advised the police that this is a matter that they should be investigating, and that should have been done weeks ago.

“There’s no justification for the police not having become involved as early as possible.

He also warned against people speculating on social media, stating: “Don’t do it.”

Former legal correspondent thinks BBC will be attempting to convince presenter to ‘say something’

Monday 10 July 2023 13:15 , Holly Evans

The BBC’s former legal correspondent Joshua Rozenberg told Sky News that he thinks the broadcaster will be attempting to convince the presenter to “say something” soon.

“We imagine that they are desperately trying to persuade the presenter concerned to actually say something, but if he is choosing not to, presumably on legal advice, then they have a risk,” Mr Rozenberg said.

“They have a duty to their presenter who works for them, they have a duty to the public to let them know what’s going on”.

He added that he suspected any police investigation was “at its very, very early stages” and and any investigation and prosecution would be a “long way off”.

Downing Street warn social media sites after accusations made against BBC stars

Monday 10 July 2023 12:49 , Holly Evans

Downing Street warned social media sites to ensure their platforms were “properly policed” following baseless accusations against various BBC personalities following the reports.

“Both the users of social media sites and the sites themselves have responsibility,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

People “should understand their responsibilities, and putting baseless accusations online can carry consequences”.

The spokesman added: “We have been very clear with the sites themselves about their responsibilities on making sure these things are properly policed.”

BBC stars such as Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine and Gary Lineker have all spoken out about the accusations, with Nicky Campbell describing it as a “distressing weekend” after he was inaccurately named on social media.

Rishi Sunak has ‘full confidence’ in BBC director-general

Monday 10 July 2023 12:41 , Holly Evans

Downing Street said Rishi Sunak had “full confidence” in BBC director-general Tim Davie following the allegations made against a male presenter.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will keep a “close watch” on the handling of the claims, No 10 said.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Obviously these allegations are concerning.

“The Secretary of State (Lucy Frazer) spoke to the director-general yesterday and was assured that the BBC is investigating this matter swiftly.

“The Met themselves have said they have received initial contact as well.

“The Culture Secretary will keep a close watch on how this develops and ensure she is regularly updated as appropriate.”

Asked if the PM had full confidence in Mr Davie, the spokesman said: “Yes.”

Family ‘upset’ by BBC’s response

Monday 10 July 2023 12:38 , Holly Evans

The family of the teenager alleged to have been paid by a top BBC star for sexually explicit images are reportedly “upset” by the broadcaster’s response.

According to The Sun, they alleged that “no one from the BBC rang them for a proper interview after the initial complaint”.

They claimed that they reported the presenter’s behaviour to the organisation on 19 May and were left frustrated as he continued to present on-air.

Former Ofcom executive says scandal could be as damaging as Jimmy Savile

Monday 10 July 2023 12:24 , Holly Evans

Stewart Purvis, a former executive for Ofcom, discussed how damaging the alleged scandal could be for the reputation of the BBC.

He told BBC Breakfast: “Well potentially, it’s as damaging as the Jimmy Savile affair 10 years ago.

“But I think in truth, at the bottom line, a lot of the damage will depend on the exact identity of the presenter.

“I think that’s just a fact of life, that the name of the presenter - if it ever comes out and one presumed it probably will come out in due course by some process or another - are they at the heart of the BBC or are they, in a sense, at the periphary?”

He added: “If it was somebody who was a regular appearer on the mainstream BBC programme, that would go to issues of trust in the BBC, it will go to the relationship between the BBC and licence payers, opens up a whole series of issues, and that’s in a sense the step that’s yet to come.”

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell details his ‘distressing weekend’

Monday 10 July 2023 12:09 , Holly Evans

Nicky Campbell has spoken about his “distressing weekend” after he was “falsely named” as the BBC presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit pictures.

The broadcaster, 62, was among the famous faces forced to clear their name after allegations that a BBC presenter paid £35,000 for explicit photographs.

Introducing his BBC Radio 5 Live show on Monday, Campbell said: “Obviously thoughts with the alleged victim and family.

“So a bit of perspective here, worse things happen at sea as they say, but it was a distressing weekend, I can’t deny it, for me and others falsely named.

“Today I am having further conversations with the police in terms of malicious communication and with lawyers in terms of defamation.”

It comes after he suggested he had contacted police about being falsely mentioned online in connection with the story.

He tweeted a screenshot which featured the Metropolitan Police logo and the words: “Thank you for contacting the Metropolitan Police Service to report your crime.”

“I think it’s important to take a stand. There’s just too many of these people on social media. Thanks for your support friends,” he wrote.

‘This looks horrendous’, BBC presenter tells news outlet

Monday 10 July 2023 11:53 , Holly Evans

Speaking to The Times, one BBC presenter said: “On the face of it, this looks horrendous — both for the individual and the institution.”

Another said: ‘Whatever the truth of it is, none of us trust managers to investigate properly. Colleagues are saying managers have been too slow in dealing with this despite it perhaps being a criminal matter.”

BBC may need to be investigated over presenter scandal, says Tory minister

Monday 10 July 2023 11:15 , Holly Evans

The BBC may have to face an investigation into its handling of allegations that an unnamed presenter paid a teenager tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.

Asked about the internal probe into the allegation, Tory cabinet minister Alex Chalk have urged the BBC to “get on with it” and “get their house in order”.

The justice secretary told Sky News: “I think what we’re now seeing today is I understand that there’s going to be a meeting with the police, and that’s absolutely right.

Mr Chalk added: “And it may be that in the fullness of time there may need to be an investigation into how this allegation was handled. That’s quite possible.”

BBC presenter made ‘panicked calls’ to youngster

Monday 10 July 2023 11:11 , Holly Evans

The Sun reported over the weekend that the broadcaster allegedly phoned the youngster after he was exposed last week.

He reportedly demanded ‘what have you done?’ in the call and asked his alleged victim to ring their mother to persuade her to ‘stop the investigation’.

The presenter, who has not been named, has been removed from air and is currently suspended.

This comes after it was claimed he had paid £35,000 for sexually explicit images of a 17-year-old teenager. The arrangement reportedly lasted for thee years, which eventually funded the crack cocaine addiction of the now 20-year-old.

Home Secretary says ‘prompt action ‘ is ‘vital’ in cases of serious allegations

Monday 10 July 2023 10:39 , Holly Evans

Suella Braverman said “prompt action” is “absolutely vital” in cases of serious allegations, such as those made against the unnamed BBC presenter.

The Home Secretary, asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain if she knows why the process has taken “so long” after a complaint was first raised in May, said: “We don’t know the facts yet, a lot of it is speculative.

“In a case of serious allegations such as these, prompt action is, of course, absolutely vital for safeguarding purposes, for justice purposes, but also for propriety purposes.”

What are the allegations against BBC presenter?

Monday 10 July 2023 10:00 , Holly Evans

A BBC presenter allegedly paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager for explicit images, according to a report published on Friday.

The family of the teenager reportedly complained to the BBC in May but the broadcaster said that “new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature”, according to a report by the Sun.

BBC boss Tim Davie was summoned for crisis talks on Sunday as it emerged that the company had known of the allegations against the star presenter for almost two months now.

Maroosha Muzaffar has more.

What are the allegations against BBC presenter and why hasn’t he been named?

Investigation should ‘play out before we jump to any conclusion’, says Home Secretary

Monday 10 July 2023 09:09 , Holly Evans

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said a BBC investigation into anonymous claims that one of its presenters paid a teenager for sexually explicit images should be allowed to “play out before we jump to any conclusion”.

“These are obviously very serious allegations,” the Cabinet minister told ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB).

“I think it is right that we allow the process to play out in the proper way. The BBC has announced that they are carrying out an internal investigation to establish the facts.

“We need to allow that to happen. I wouldn’t want to go behind that or pre-empt any finding.”

Ms Braverman said the BBC is carrying out a fact-finding investigation and it is “important to let that play out before we jump to any conclusion”.

“We also know that the police have been in touch with the BBC – there is going to be a meeting today on what next steps should occur.

“And again, I think if the police are going to carry out an investigation, this is something that should be allowed to happen. These are very serious allegations, we need to treat them with due caution and seriousness.”

BBC stars take to Twitter to deny they’re the suspended presenter

Monday 10 July 2023 08:43 , Holly Evans

Following speculation on social media, a number of BBC stars tweeted to say they were not the presenter in the scandal.

TV presenter Rylan Clark tweeted: “Not sure why my name’s 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.”

Jeremy Vine followed suit, tweeting shortly after: “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday – whoever the ‘BBC Presenter’ in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.”

He later alluded to taking legal action against Twitter trolls who had accused him of being the BBC presenter and screenshotted a number of tweets, stating his lawyer “will be in touch in the coming days”.

While Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker did not specifically mention the allegations, he tweeted: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.”

BBC ‘need to get their house in order’, says Justice Secretary

Monday 10 July 2023 08:26 , Holly Evans

The BBC needs to get its “house in order” or else there could be “collateral victims”, the Justice Secretary has said, following anonymous allegations made against one of the broadcaster’s presenters.

Alex Chalk told BBC Breakfast: “I’m pleased to hear that such serious and concerning allegations are being discussed with the police today.

“That is fine but I think in the fullness of time there will need to be a careful review about the chronology of this — what happened, when.

“I’m not going to cast aspersions because I don’t have all that information. But time is of the essence because it is not fair on victims, it is not fair on people who could be implicated and it is not fair on the BBC, which does an important job. I’m not here, as it were, to bash the BBC.

“But I do think that they need to get their house in order and they need to proceed promptly, otherwise you will have plenty of collateral victims of what is a deeply serious and concerning allegation.”

Justice Secretary says it’s ‘astonishing’ BBC allowed presenter to stay on air

Monday 10 July 2023 08:02 , Holly Evans

Cabinet minister Alex Chalk said suggestions the BBC allowed a presenter to stay on air despite allegations made that they paid a teenager for sexually explicit images were “astonishing”.

The Justice Secretary told Sky News: “If that is right, then it is astonishing and you would have expected robust action to have been taken much more quickly.

“I don’t know precisely what was said, and that is why there needs to be a full discussion of this in the fullness of time.”

On the internal BBC investigation, Mr Chalk said: “I want them to get on with it.”