Downing Street issues warning over false accusations of BBC presenter in explicit photo scandal
The BBC is investigating after an unnamed presenter has been accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit photos, ITV News' Leyla Hayes reports
Pressure is mounting on the BBC after reports surfaced that an unnamed presenter, who has now been suspended, paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images.
On Monday evening, the young person involved, now 20, said via a lawyer to BBC News that the claims are "rubbish".
They added the story, reported in The Sun, is "totally wrong and there was no truth in it."
A number of presenters, including Gary Lineker and Rylan Clarke, have come forward to deny their involvement after social media users falsely connected them with the story over the weekend.
On Monday, broadcaster Nicky Campbell confirmed he is in touch with police over being wrongly accused.
The prime minister's official spokesman has waded in, saying: "Both the users of social media sites and the sites themselves have responsibility... (People) should understand their responsibilities, and putting baseless accusations online can carry consequences."
Did BBC do enough to investigate claims about presenter?
The spokesman added: "We have been very clear with the sites themselves about their responsibilities on making sure these things are properly policed."
When asked if Rishi Sunak had full confidence in BBC Director-General Tim Davie, the spokesman said: "Yes."
The Met Police issued an update on Monday afternoon, confirming it is still establishing whether a criminal offence has been committed after meeting with the BBC.
"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," police said in a statement.
"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."
A brief timeline of events so far
Friday, May 19: The young person's family complain to the BBC about a top presenter, according to The Sun
Thursday, July 6: "Different" allegations are brought to the BBC's attention, says Tim Davie
Friday, July 7: The Sun publishes a story that an unnamed BBC presenter has paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos; the teen's mother accuses the star of fuelling her child's "crack cocaine addiction"
Saturday, July 8: Gary Lineker and Jeremy Vine tweet they are not the unidentified staff member following social media speculation
Sunday, July 9: Rylan Clarke also denies any connection to the story
Sunday, July 9: The BBC confirms the accused presenter has been suspended and that the corporation is in touch with the police
Monday, July 10: Downing Street issues a warning to social media sites following baseless accusations thrown at top BBC talent; Met Police confirm they are still establishing whether a criminal offence was committed
Monday, July 10: The young person says via a lawyer to BBC News that the allegations are "rubbish" and The Sun's report is "totally wrong"
In an earlier statement, the BBC have said they take "any allegations seriously and we have robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations.
“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. It is important that these matters are handled fairly and with care."
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said a BBC investigation should “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.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain
“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.”
In a note sent to staff, Mr Davie said: "In addition to our own enquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols."
He also condemned the "unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent."
Mr Davie said the BBC was 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."
Neither the individual or the teenager, who was said to be 17 when the payments began, have been identified since The Sun first reported the story on Friday.
The young person’s mother told the paper she saw a picture of the presenter on her child’s phone, in which she alleged the BBC staff member was in his underwear.
She claimed she was told it was "a picture from some kind of video call".
The Sun claimed payments were made over the space of three years, and the teenager’s family complained to the BBC on May 19.
ITV News understands the presenter is not scheduled to be on air in the coming days.
Earlier on Sunday, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said Mr Davie assured her the corporation is “investigating swiftly and sensitively” into the allegations.
Gary Lineker and Rylan Clark were among the BBC stars who publicly stated they were not the presenter in question, with Lineker tweeting: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.”
While Clark wrote: “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 also said: “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.”
Nicky Campbell has confirmed he contacted police about being falsely mentioned online in connection with the story.
The broadcaster, 62, opened up about his "distressing weekend" when claims circulated on social media that he was the accused BBC staff member.
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."
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