Timeline main as much as suspension of presenter accused in BBC scandal

An unnamed BBC presenter has been suspended after being accused of paying a teen 1000’s of kilos for sexually specific images.

The male presenter – reportedly a “household name” – first requested photographs in 2020 when the youth was aged 17 and made a sequence of funds through the years, in response to The Sun.

They allegedly paid greater than £35,000, which the younger individual had reportedly used to fund an habit to crack cocaine – which had “destroyed” their life.

BBC presenter claims newest: Police contacted over explicit photos claim

In an announcement on Sunday, the BBC mentioned the presenter had been suspended after it had obtained new allegations of a unique nature along with their very own enquiries.

It has additionally now been in contact with exterior authorities, the company mentioned.

Here is a take a look at what allegations have been made and once they first got here to mild.

Friday 19 May: The household first make a grievance to the BBC. In the grievance, they reportedly asked the broadcaster to make the man “stop sending the cash”.

When the presenter was nonetheless on air a month later, the household reportedly grew to become pissed off. The BBC confirmed in an announcement that it had “first became aware of a complaint in May”.

June: The youth receives a £1,000 payment – allegedly made by way of PayPal, from the presenter, in response to The Sun. Their mom mentioned they “suddenly had this cash” after operating out of cash.

She mentioned the fee had made it “obvious the BBC hadn’t spoken to this man… as they thought he was too important”.

She additionally claimed that originally, the “security boss gave us a number that didn’t exist”.

Thursday 6 July: The BBC receives “new allegations” of a “different nature” – however the broadcaster doesn’t reveal any additional particulars.

Friday 7 July: The Sun’s bombshell unique is revealed each on-line and in print. The paper mentioned the presenter is “a familiar face who is known to millions” and can also be paid a six-figure wage by the BBC.

In the interview, the youth’s mom claimed that the presenter requested “performances” and that she had seen checking account statements displaying funds totalling greater than £35,000 – together with one lump sum of £5,000.

Now 20 years of age, the youth had used the presenter’s cash to gas a severe drug drawback, the mom mentioned.

The BBC responded to the article saying: “We treat any allegations very seriously and we have processes in place to proactively deal with them.”

It mentioned it will “take steps” to research additional “if we receive information”, together with “actively attempting to speak to those who have contacted us in order to seek further detail and understanding of the situation”.

Saturday 8 July: Various BBC presenters choose to publicly clear their names after hypothesis concerning the id of the presenter swirls on-line. Celebrities together with Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker, BBC Radio 2 hosts Jeremy Vine and Rylan Clark, and BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell all launch separate statements on Twitter.

Clark, who mentioned he’s presently in Italy filming for the BBC, mentioned: “Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun – that ain’t me babe.” Whilst Lineker added: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.”

Campbell appeared to contact the Metropolitan Police after falsely being named on-line. Sharing screenshots of the police web site on social media, he mentioned: “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.”

On Saturday night, The Sun revealed an replace to its allegations. It claimed that the youth’s mother had seen images of the presenter sitting on his sofa in his underpants. The image was reportedly taken throughout a video name between the pair.

Former house secretary Priti Patel referred to as for a “full and transparent investigation”, calling the BBC “faceless” and an “unaccountable organisation” on social media.

Sunday 9 July: A male presenter is suspended from duties and BBC contact police over allegations. In an announcement, it mentioned the scenario was “complex and fast moving” and the company is “working as quickly as possible to establish the facts”.

“New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own enquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols,” an announcement mentioned.

Director-general Tim Davie additionally despatched spherical an e-mail to BBC workers, reiterating that it was taking the allegations “incredibly seriously”. He mentioned the BBC is involved with the household referenced within the studies and condemned rumours about “some of our presenting talent”. He additionally mentioned people concerned had been “entitled to privacy”.

A spokesperson for the Met Police later mentioned the power had “initial contact” from the BBC however that “no formal referral or allegation has been made”.

“We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow,” they mentioned.

Numerous politicians additionally converse of their concern over the allegations. Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the Culture, Media and Sport committee, mentioned she was involved that the company had taken a “very long time” to investigate the claims.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, mentioned the scandal was “deeply concerning”.

When requested about an alleged delay in investigating the grievance, she instructed Sky News: “I think that’s the concerning thing, that someone makes a complaint – a very serious complaint – and then puts on the telly the next night and they’re still there.”

The tradition secretary Lucy Frazer prevented questions concerning the scandal after being requested about it on the British Grand Prix.