The BBC has suspended a television presenter, whose identity is unknown, who has been accused of paying a minor to send him sexual images. As the public corporation reported in a statement, a male member of its staff has been suspended as a result of the open investigation after receiving a complaint in May. “We hope to be in a position to provide more information in the coming days, depending on how the process progresses. The BBC Council will follow up,” the note said.
The Sun newspaper, which revealed the scandal, reported yesterday that the child’s mother – whose identity and gender are unknown – saw in a video the BBC star in underwear “ready for my son act for him”. It is believed that the presenter paid more than 35,000 pounds (40,000 euros) to the minor from the time he was 17 until he was 20 – his current age – in exchange for these sexual images, money with which the victim allegedly paid for his crack addiction
The BBC said yesterday that it first learned of the complaint in May, but that on Thursday it received new accusations “of a different nature”, after which it handed the case over to the police. In an email sent to staff, the corporation’s general manager, Tim Davie, confirmed that they are in contact with the family who reported the case to the press.
“I want to assure you that we are working quickly to establish the facts and ensure that matters are handled fairly and carefully, including by outside authorities when appropriate,” he noted.
Although the BBC has said it “takes the allegations very seriously”, the corporation is coming under fire as it is understood, according to The Sun, that the family lodged a complaint in May, but the presenter has continued to appear on screen .
Culture Minister Lucy Frazer, who reports to the BBC, spoke to Davie yesterday about these accusations. “Davie has assured me that the BBC is investigating it quickly and tactfully. Given the nature of the allegations, it is important that the BBC is given the space to carry out its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action.”
Criticism has come both from the Labor opposition and from within the ranks of the Tories themselves. Labour’s economy spokeswoman Rachel Reeves said it was “worrying that someone would make a very serious complaint and then turn on the TV the next day and (the presenter) is still there”. And Tory MP Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the parliamentary committee that oversees the BBC, said “it is vital that broadcasters have the right systems and processes in place to ensure that their stars, who have disproportionate power and influence on life others, don’t abuse them”.
Some of the BBC’s stars, such as ex-footballer Gary Lineker, have rushed to deny on their networks that they were the ones being investigated.
