Timeline leading up to suspension of presenter accused in BBC scandal
An unnamed BBC presenter has been suspended after being accused of paying a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos.
The male presenter – reportedly a “household name” – first requested images in 2020 when the youth was aged 17 and made a series of payments over the years, according to The Sun.
They allegedly paid more than £35,000, which the young person had reportedly used to fund an addiction to crack cocaine – which had “destroyed” their life.
BBC presenter claims latest: Police contacted over explicit photos claim
In a statement on Sunday, the BBC said the presenter had been suspended after it had received new allegations of a different nature in addition to their own enquiries.
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BBC statement in full as presenter suspended
It has also now been in touch with external authorities, the corporation said.
Here is a look at what allegations have been made and when they first came to light.
Friday 19 May: The family first make a complaint to the BBC. In the complaint, they reportedly asked the broadcaster to make the man “stop sending the cash”.
When the presenter was still on air a month later, the family reportedly became frustrated. The BBC confirmed in a statement that it had “first became aware of a complaint in May”.
June: The youth receives a £1,000 payment – allegedly made via PayPal, from the presenter, according to The Sun. Their mother said they “suddenly had this cash” after running out of money.
She said the payment had made it “obvious the BBC hadn’t spoken to this man… as they thought he was too important”.
She also claimed that initially, the “security boss gave us a number that didn’t exist”.
Thursday 6 July: The BBC receives “new allegations” of a “different nature” – but the broadcaster does not reveal any further details.
Friday 7 July: The Sun’s bombshell exclusive is published both online and in print. The paper said the presenter is “a familiar face who is known to millions” and is also paid a six-figure salary by the BBC.
In the interview, the youth’s mother claimed that the presenter requested “performances” and that she had seen bank account statements showing payments totalling more than £35,000 – including one lump sum of £5,000.
Now 20 years of age, the youth had used the presenter’s money to fuel a serious drug problem, the mother said.
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 said it would “take steps” to investigate further “if we receive information”, including “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 speculation about the identity of the presenter swirls online. Celebrities including 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 release separate statements on Twitter.
Clark, who said he is currently in Italy filming for the BBC, said: “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 online. Sharing screenshots of the police website on social media, he said: “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 evening, The Sun published an update to its allegations. It claimed that the youth’s mother had seen images of the presenter sitting on his sofa in his underpants. The picture was reportedly taken during a video call between the pair.
Former home secretary Priti Patel called 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 a statement, it said the situation was “complex and fast moving” and the corporation 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,” a statement said.
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BBC needs to ‘get a grip’ says Rachel Reeves
Director-general Tim Davie also sent round an email to BBC staff, reiterating that it was taking the allegations “incredibly seriously”. He said the BBC is in contact with the family referenced in the reports and condemned rumours about “some of our presenting talent”. He also said individuals involved were “entitled to privacy”.
A spokesperson for the Met Police later said the force had “initial contact” from the BBC but that “no formal referral or allegation has been made”.
“We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow,” they said.
A number of politicians also speak of their concern over the allegations. Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the Culture, Media and Sport committee, said she was concerned that the corporation had taken a “very long time” to investigate the claims.
Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, said the scandal was “deeply concerning”.
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Culture sec avoids questions on BBC scandal
When asked about an alleged delay in investigating the complaint, she told 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 culture secretary Lucy Frazer avoided questions about the scandal after being asked about it at the British Grand Prix, but confirms that she has spoken to Mr Davie about the “deeply concerning allegations”.
“He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively,” she said on Twitter.
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The first vote on the assisted dying bill is not only hugely consequential, it’s also hugely unpredictable and even as the vote draws near it still feels like it could go either way.
MPs will debate the bill, brought forward by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, in parliament today before they get a free vote on the legislation.
There are a few reasons why the potential outcome of the vote is difficult to predict. Firstly, the last Commons vote on this issue was back in 2015. It was also a Private Members’ Bill and a free vote, that was defeated by 331 to 119 – 199 MPs didn’t vote and one abstained.
That may seem like a useful starting point to predict future results but there has been an unprecedented turnover of MPs since then.
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It was less than a decade ago but over two-thirds of those MPs from 2015 are no longer in parliament. This means there’s no voting record that can help us out this time round.
Secondly, it’s a free vote so we can’t, as we usually would, look to the political parties to work out the numbers.
Every single one of the 650 MPs must make up their minds for themselves and they have all taken a slightly different approach to the process.
How MPs have told Sky News they will vote on assisted dying
Some came out straight away and declared their position publicly. Some took their time and have only decided in the last few days, putting out statements on social media platforms.
There are also those who prefer to keep it to themselves, and some who are genuinely still undecided and will be until they walk through the voting lobbies.
So, to get a sense of what could happen, at Sky News we have been monitoring declarations as well as reaching out to every MP personally.
This has given us, on the eve of the second reading, an informative but still incomplete picture.
So far we have confirmed that 181 MPs will vote for the bill, while 148 say they will vote against, and 300 are either undecided or haven’t revealed their decision.
There are also 20 MPs that won’t vote – the SNP because the changes won’t apply in Scotland, Sinn Fein who don’t sit in Westminster, and the Speaker and Deputy Speakers.
Of those who will vote but whose position is still unknown, about two-thirds are Labour MPs – a big chunk of those are brand new.
This is the deciding cohort, who just a few months into their roles will make a life-or-death decision that will influence generations to come – no pressure.
Ms Leadbeater has said she hopes parliament will “show itself at its best” by voting in favour of the bill.
In a statement on Thursday night, she said: “I hope this parliament will also be remembered for this major social reform that gives people autonomy over the end of their lives and puts right an injustice that has been left on the statute books for far too long.
“People will be looking in on parliament as it debates this important change to the law – a change that, when we most need it, could bring comfort to any one of us or to somebody we love.”
Read more on assisted dying:
Analysis: Bill could be wrecked by dirty tricks
Five stories that bring the assisted dying debate home
David Cameron comes out in support of bill
How MPs are making up their minds
What does the bill propose?
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Lord Cameron to support assisted dying bill
What could make the difference?
Most MPs tell us they have been poring over the legislation line-by-line and listening intently to their constituents.
But beyond that, there are external factors that will no doubt have influenced their thinking.
Public opinion will be high on the list, with the latest YouGov poll – one of many – showing an overwhelming majority (73%) of the public are in favour of a change in the law.
The other will be how Cabinet ministers vote, with many high profile and respected names, Ed Miliband and Hilary Benn among them, coming out in favour.
MPs will vote in the House of Commons on the bill
More controversial though are those who oppose the bill.
In particular, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting and the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood have made the news with their views.
They will both have to take a leading role in implementing the legislation if it passes.
Mr Streeting shocked Westminster when he revealed he had changed his mind after voting for the 2015 version.
He also ruffled feathers among colleagues when he appeared to breach the etiquette around free votes, by repeatedly raising concerns around extra pressures on the NHS and making the case for improving palliative care instead.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting changed his mind on the issue. Pic: PA
Mr Streeting’s position and approach have made the bill’s supporters nervous that new MPs will fall in behind him.
In contrast, other big beasts – the prime minister, the chancellor and the foreign secretary – remain silent on which way they will go, aware that their opinions could sway the result.
As it stands, after all the number crunching, it looks likely that this landmark legislation will pass the second reading.
But with so many unknowns, both sides will feel that even at this late stage, it’s still impossible to call.
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