Sex crimes

Police Meet With BBC After Presenter Suspended

JUL 10 2023·Updated AUG 27

Story

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

Following public claims on Friday alleging that a BBC TV presenter paid a teenager £35K ($45K) for sexually explicit photos, the corporation met with police on Monday to discuss the matter further. An investigation is yet to be opened, however, with the police still trying to ascertain whether a criminal offense was committed.
BBC News
Last week, newspaper outlet the Sun reported that a familiar name from the BBC had paid the then-teenager the sum over three years, beginning when they were reportedly only 17. UK law prohibits the ability to legally consent to sending explicit photos until the age of 18.
Evening Standard
On Sunday, the BBC stated that it "takes any allegations seriously," with the company working "as quickly as possible" to "establish the facts" of a "complex and fast-moving set of circumstances."
guardian
The BBC revealed that it has been investigating a complaint since May, with allegations of a "different nature" brought to them last Thursday. The unnamed TV presenter has since been suspended.
Independent
Over the weekend, the Sun further revealed that the child's family had made the complaint to the BBC on May 19th, with the mother of the youth telling the newspaper that the "household name" presenter had requested "performances" from her child.
Sky News
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed within a statement that they had received initial contact from the BBC, although "no formal referral or allegation" had been made. They added that further information was required before "determining what further action should follow."
Mirror

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, it has taken nearly 50 days and the pressure of public outcry for the BBC to take any action against the unnamed presenter through his suspension. The BBC has once again pressed its own self-destruct button and shown how not to deal with a crisis.

Oxford Mail

Narrative B

The claims made most recently are far more serious than those initially made in May, and the BBC has acted swiftly to suspend the presenter in question. However, at this stage the facts are still being determined, and the staff member has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.