The BBC yesterday suspended a high-profile presenter accused of paying £35,000 to a susceptible teenager for sexually specific photographs.
In a dramatic escalation of the disaster engulfing the company, bosses have been final evening talking to the Metropolitan Police about allegations towards the unnamed male presenter who has been taken off air.
It got here simply hours after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer held pressing talks with BBC director-general Tim Davie concerning the scandal, which was first reported to the broadcaster seven weeks in the past. The Daily Mail has been informed Mr Davie was not made conscious of the allegations till final Thursday, regardless of claims {the teenager}’s mom initially contacted the BBC on May 19.
Senior sources stated bosses didn’t at first ‘register the seriousness of it’, however the company was now involved with Scotland Yard.
A separate BBC supply stated. “There are layers to what the police want and need to take it further – we may get to that stage, we may not.’
A Met Police spokesman said: “The Met has received initial contact from the BBC in relation to this matter, but no formal referral or allegation has been made.
“We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow.”
It is alleged that the ‘household name’ presenter handed over £35,000 throughout three years, which helped to fund the ‘spiralling’ crack-cocaine habit of the teenager, now aged 20.
The particular person’s mom has claimed she determined to method the BBC after discovering the alleged funds and ‘begged’ bosses to make the star ‘stop sending cash’.
She additionally informed of how she noticed a photograph of the person stripped right down to his boxer shorts for a video name ‘leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him’.
The under-fire presenter’s colleagues are stated to be appalled by the scenario, whereas rising more and more dismayed at how the BBC has dealt with the disaster.
One stated final evening: “We are all aghast. And at the moment it’s like the plane is on fire but the cockpit door is locked. We just have to hope the pilot is doing something.”
BBC insiders concern that the star on the coronary heart of the scandal could by no means seem on the community once more.
Announcing his suspension yesterday, the BBC stated it had first turn out to be conscious of the criticism in May, however ‘new allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature’.
It added: “In addition to our own inquiries, we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols. We can also confirm a male member of staff has been suspended. We expect to be in a position to provide a further update in the coming days as the process continues.”
Ms Frazer had earlier described the allegations as ‘deeply concerning’ and stated she was assured by Mr Davie that the BBC was ‘investigating swiftly and sensitively’.
She added: “Given the nature of the allegations it is important that the BBC is now given the space to conduct its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action. I will be kept updated.’
At 1pm, Ms Frazer tweeted she had spoken directly to Mr Davie. Later in the day, the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary presented the trophy to British Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen at Silverstone.
In a note sent to BBC staff yesterday, Mr Davie condemned ‘unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent’.
Presenters including Gary Lineker, Jeremy Vine and Rylan Clark have publicly ruled themselves out after social media users wrongly speculated they were the star in question.
Mr Davie hinted that concerns about the suspended presenter’s right to privacy had influenced the corporation’s approach so far.
His note said: “By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex. I also want to be very clear that I am wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent.
“We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports. I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts and to ensure that these matters are handled fairly and with care, including by external authorities where appropriate.”
Pressure has been steadily mounting on the BBC for the reason that allegations emerged final week in The Sun, which has been supplied with a sworn affidavit by the alleged sufferer’s mom.
She stated: “I blame this BBC man for destroying my child’s life – taking my child’s innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child… Whenever I see him on telly, I feel sick.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
