BBC presenter scandal: Young individual’s mom stands by claims after lawyer insists ‘nothing inappropriate’ occurred with star

Jul 11, 2023 at 12:36 AM
BBC presenter scandal: Young individual’s mom stands by claims after lawyer insists ‘nothing inappropriate’ occurred with star

The mom of the younger individual on the centre of the BBC presenter scandal has reportedly insisted she stands by her claims after a lawyer branded the allegations “rubbish”.

In a letter to the BBC, the lawyer representing the younger individual solid doubt on The Sun’s story concerning the male star, who has not been publicly identified however is reportedly a “household name”.

The letter stated “nothing inappropriate or unlawful” came about between the younger individual, now aged 20, and the presenter, based on the BBC.

The letter added the younger individual despatched a denial to the newspaper on Friday night, saying there was “no truth to it”.

However, the “inappropriate article” was nonetheless printed, the lawyer instructed the company.

Read extra: BBC presenter claims – live updates

After the BBC printed the letter, the younger individual’s mom instructed The Sun: “It is sad but we stand by our account and we hope they get the help they need.

“We did this to assist – and the presenter has obtained into their head. How did they afford a lawyer?

“We are so sad.”

The younger individual’s stepfather reportedly added: “We are disappointed they made a statement. It’s not true.”

The stepfather additionally claimed the BBC ignored emails despatched on 19 May which allegedly included financial institution statements displaying funds made by the presenter.

And he instructed The Sun that the BBC had lied when it stated “new allegations” had led to the suspension of the presenter.

The stepfather stated he was instructed that the brand new claims have been that the teenager was 17 when contact started.

“They’re not telling the truth,” he stated. “I told them the youngster was 20 and it had been going on for three years. It’s not hard to do the maths.”

He added: “I told the BBC I had gone to the police in desperation but they couldn’t do anything as they said it wasn’t illegal. They knew all of this.”

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What we learn about claims towards BBC star

What are the allegations?

According to The Sun, which first broke the story on Saturday, the presenter paid the younger individual about £35,000 in trade for sexually express photos throughout a three-year interval.

He allegedly started requesting the pictures in 2020 when the person was 17 years outdated and made a sequence of funds over time.

The particular person had reportedly used the cash to fund an dependancy to crack cocaine – that had “destroyed” their life, based on their mom.

It was additionally alleged the presenter stripped to his underwear throughout a video name with them.

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The Metropolitan Police stated earlier on Monday it was “assessing information” equipped by the BBC over the claims.

The drive is finishing up additional enquiries to ascertain whether or not any crime has been dedicated following the allegations.

Representatives for the broadcaster have spoken to Met detectives, who stated they’re wanting on the info mentioned on the digital assembly – however haven’t but launched an investigation.

The BBC quoted a spokesperson for The Sun as saying: “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 grievance was not acted upon by the BBC. We have seen proof that helps their issues. It’s now for the BBC to correctly examine.”

‘Huge development’

Sky’s home editor Jason Farrell said the comments from the young person’s lawyer were a “enormous improvement”.

The BBC itself likely did not anticipate the lawyer’s statement, Farrell said.

He said a “huge quantity of consideration” will now be directed at The Sun, which has urged the BBC didn’t examine complaints by the younger individual’s mother and father appropriately.

Read extra:
Presenter should only be named after ‘full’ investigation – justice secretary
Everything we know about the claims
Timeline of events as unnamed star suspended

Family members of the young person said they made a complaint to the BBC on 19 May, but approached The Sun after becoming frustrated the presenter was still on air a month later.

While the paper has not revealed the name of the star, they have said he is paid a six-figure salary and is currently off-air. He was suspended by the BBC on Sunday.

Following the publication of allegations within the press, the presenter is known to have contacted the younger individual concerned, phoning them and asking, “what have you done?”

In an announcement issued by the BBC on Sunday, the company confirmed they first acquired a grievance concerning the presenter in May.

They stated they have been taking the allegations “very seriously,” and had gone on to droop the presenter after receiving new allegations of a special nature along with their very own enquiries.

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Jeremy Vine: ‘It cannot be me’

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Wrongly named presenter takes authorized recommendation

Sir Craig Oliver, a former No 10 director of communications and ex-senior programme editor at BBC News, instructed Sky News it was “inevitable” there could be an inquiry into what the company knew and when.

He questioned if the present BBC processes have been “fit for purpose in a social media world” and urged the company must have a assessment of them.

Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine and Nicky Campbell are among the many BBC stars to have publicly said that they aren’t the presenter in query.