BBC boss to be questioned over allegations about unnamed presenter
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llegations {that a} BBC presenter paid a young person tens of 1000’s of kilos for sexually express photographs are to be put to the pinnacle of the company.
The BBC has suspended a male member of workers after The Sun newspaper reported he paid a teenager round £35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for express photographs.
Director-general Tim Davie is because of face the media on Tuesday for a scheduled briefing following the discharge of the company’s annual report, though the controversy will dominate the agenda.
The report, deliberate earlier than the allegations got here out, is an evaluation of the BBC’s efficiency over the past 12 months.
It usually reveals the pay remuneration of the company’s greatest earners, with Mr Davie additionally anticipated to reply questions on stars’ pay packets.
The younger individual on the centre of the controversy mentioned nothing inappropriate or illegal occurred with the unnamed presenter, nonetheless their mom reportedly stands by the claims.
In a letter reported by BBC News At Six, the younger individual mentioned by way of a lawyer: “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 authorized consultant additionally mentioned the younger individual advised The Sun on Friday night earlier than the newspaper revealed the story that there was “no truth to it”, the BBC reported.
The lawyer reportedly known as the article on the entrance web page “inappropriate”, claiming within the letter the mom and the younger individual are estranged.
BBC News mentioned it does know the identification of the younger individual and has not spoken to them immediately, however that the letter was despatched by a multinational legislation agency.
Police mentioned they’re finishing up additional inquiries to determine whether or not any crime has been dedicated after BBC representatives spoke with detectives on Monday morning.
A spokesperson for The Sun mentioned: “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.”
The mom and stepfather of the younger individual stood by their allegation, and questioned how their little one may afford the lawyer, The Sun reported.
The newspaper alleged that the mom mentioned: “It is sad but we stand by our account and we hope they get the help they need.
“We did this to help – and the presenter has got into their head. How did they afford a lawyer?”
The mom earlier advised the newspaper she noticed an image of the presenter on her little one’s cellphone “sitting on a sofa in his house in his underwear”.
She mentioned she was advised it was “a picture from some kind of video call” and regarded like he was “getting ready for my child to perform for him”.
The household have been mentioned to have complained to the BBC on May 19, however allegedly turned pissed off that the star remained on air.
The presenter is alleged to have made “panicked” calls to the younger individual following the allegations, saying he requested “What have you done?”, and asking them to inform their mom to cease the investigation.
The BBC mentioned it had been investigating a grievance since May, and new claims of a “different nature” have been dropped at it on Thursday.
As nicely as being in contact with the police, the BBC is finishing up its personal inquiries and speaking to the younger individual’s household.