The mother and father of {the teenager} allegedly paid £35,000 by a BBC presenter in trade for express footage have accused the BBC of mendacity about what they knew concerning the case - in addition to asking how their youngster was capable of afford a lawyer.

The couple say they're motivated by a need to assist the now-20-year-old, who they are saying first met the tv star aged 17 and used the money to purchase crack cocaine.

The particular person in query has denied their allegations, in line with a lawyer who contacted the company yesterday.

However, their mom and stepfather informed The Sun: 'It is unhappy however we stand by our account and we hope they get the assistance they want. We did this to assist - and the presenter has obtained into their head.

"How did they afford a lawyer? We are so sad."

The stepfather added: "Without the money, my partner's child would have no drugs." He added that he had spoken to the BBC "for an hour in May".

He additionally claimed the BBC was "'not telling the truth" with claims it had been investigating a criticism since May, however that new claims of a "different nature" have been dropped at it on Thursday.

He mentioned: "I told them the youngster was 20 and it had been going on for three years.

"I informed the BBC I had gone to the police in desperation however they could not do something as they mentioned it wasn't unlawful. They knew all of this.

"Without the money, my partner's child would have no drugs."

In a letter reported by BBC News At Six, the younger individual mentioned through 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 informed The Sun on Friday night earlier than the newspaper printed the story that there was "no truth to it", the BBC reported.

The lawyer referred to as the article on the entrance web page "inappropriate", the news present mentioned.

BBC News mentioned it does know the id of the younger individual and has not spoken to them straight, however that the letter was despatched by a multinational legislation agency.

Tim Davie, the BBC's director-general, will at present to face the media for a scheduled briefing after the discharge of the company's annual report - with questions concerning the ongoing controversy sure to dominate the agenda.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at present waded into the controversy, telling reporters on the airplane to the Nato summit in Lithuania: "They were shocking, concerning allegations, of course they were.

"The Culture Secretary spoke to the director basic, I believe it was on Sunday.

"And he has reassured that the process they are undertaking is vigorous and will be swift, so we've had those reassurances.

"And I believe that's the proper factor to do as a result of, given the regarding nature of the allegations, it's proper that they're investigated swiftly and rigorously.

"And it is important we now let that carry on."

Asked if he had been informed who the BBC presenter in query was, Mr Sunak replied: "No. But I've been reassured that the process will be conducted vigorously and swiftly."