Timeline leading up to suspension of presenter accused in BBC scandal

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2023

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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.

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.

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”.

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.

UK

Andrew pays the ultimate price after years of public disdain

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2025

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Andrew pays the ultimate price after years of public disdain

Andrew always denied the allegations – but the repeated accusations would not go away.

And his associations risked real reputational damage to the royal family.

His friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, his dealings with an alleged Chinese spy, and then the posthumous publication of his accuser, Virginia Giuffre’s memoir.

Her family said she brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

The piling pressure was starting to overshadow the work of Andrew’s wider family. And with the Prince of Wales soon heading to Brazil for his Earthshot award, enough was enough.

We understand the Royal Family, including Prince William backed the King’s leadership on this matter.

The King made the decisions, his family supported them.

Andrew will leave Royal Lodge, his large home on the Windsor estate. His ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who also lived there, will “make her own arrangements”.

It was their family home for many years. Both daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who grew up there, will keep their titles.

As for Andrew, he will soon move to Sandringham – the King’s private Norfolk estate – where the family traditionally gathers for Christmas; and he will be funded privately by the King.

This is all a formal process carried out in consultation with official authorities, but the government supports the decision taken.

This will not have been easy for the King, but he knew he could not ignore public opinion. The criticism and anger directed at Andrew was never going to stop – and only he had the power to take the ultimate action against his own brother.

For years, Andrew enjoyed the perks and privileges of his powerful position, but his birthright could not withstand withering public disdain.

And now he’s paid the ultimate price.

UK

Elderly patients facing ‘war-like’ conditions in Britain’s hospitals, says report

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2025

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Elderly patients facing 'war-like' conditions in Britain's hospitals, says report

Corridor care in Britain’s hospitals is a “crisis in plain sight”, a charity has warned, with patients complaining of long waits and warzone-like conditions.

An Age UK report describes “truly shocking” incidents of elderly people waiting days for care, including them hearing and seeing others dying as they wait.

According to the latest figures for England, 75% of patients were seen within four hours in A&Es in September.

But the number of people waiting more than 12 hours from the decision to admit to actually being admitted – known as “corridor care” – stood at 44,765, a jump from 35,909 in August.

Describing her experience, a 79-year-old woman from south London told Age UK: “The corridors were lined with patients on trolleys, hooked up to drips, some moaning in pain.

“It reminded me of war films, with queues of stretchers and people suffering.”

Others spoke of “puddles of urine” on the floor as immobile patients are unable to go to the toilet – and patients being forced to use bedpans in corridors.

The report raises concerns that poor quality care “is now almost expected” in some A&E departments and warns the situation could “get worse” as the NHS heads into winter.

One person said her friend’s mother was left waiting “ages when she was having a heart attack, and died before receiving any care”.

Age UK said many patients are now unwilling to go to A&E, even if they are in a life-threatening situation.

It called on the government to “urgently” tackle corridor care, with specific deadlines for ending long waits, as it warned older people have been disproportionately affected.

Responding to the criticism, health minister Karin Smyth told Sky News: “The stories in this report are heartbreaking.

“No one should receive care in a corridor – it’s unacceptable, undignified, and we are determined to end it.

“To tackle a problem, you’ve got to be honest about it. For the first time, the NHS will measure and publish the number of patients waiting in corridors.”

The government is investing £450m to build same-day urgent and emergency care centres, buy 500 new ambulances, build 40 new mental health crisis centres, and give NHS leaders on the ground more power to deliver local solutions.

Ms Smyth also urged people to get vaccinated, as flu season has arrived weeks earlier than usual.

UK

Highland protesters speak out as asylum seekers set for army barracks move

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2025

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Highland protesters speak out as asylum seekers set for army barracks move

“I’ll be at that gate with my kilt,” says Inverness protester Thomas.

He was one of the first people Sky News met as we visited the Highland city preparing to welcome 300 male asylum seekers at a 150-year-old army barracks just minutes from the High Street.

But if our experience testing the temperature is anything to go by, it seems the welcome will be far from the traditional hospitality this part of the world is famous for.

The Scottish Highlands currently has no asylum seekers, according to the latest Home Office data. It makes it a unique part of Britain as other communities witness rising numbers of arrivals.

The UK government is planning drastic changes in the coming weeks. It announced plans to bring 309 male asylum seekers to Cameron army barracks in Inverness.

The military base was built in 1876 and now looks set to become Britain’s most northern migrant centre as officials aim to cut the use of costly asylum seeker hotels.

Thomas, who did not want to share his full name, said he had signed a petition against the proposals and hinted he was ready to campaign against it.

He said: “I’ll be at that gate with my kilt on.

“I’ll be there with posters and shouting ‘get tae’. I think we are more scared. I think it’s more invasion.”

Fellow protester Chloe said: “Everyone is scared. I am worried for my child.”

She cited the recent conviction of migrant Deng Chol Majek, who stabbed hotel worker Rhiannon Whyte to death with a screwdriver in the West Midlands.

Another man, who did not want to provide his name, told Sky News he was previously homeless.

“It’s disgusting. It’s a shambles. I wouldn’t want to say what I’d do to them (migrants) but I wouldn’t be putting them in the barracks,” he told us.

He concluded: “We should ship them back to their own country. They don’t deserve to be in this country.”

‘Extreme views’

I also met offshore wind engineer Kai Fraser, who said: “I have no problem with them being here. There are a few people who have got really big problems with it which are unfounded. They need to go somewhere.

“It is peddled by Farage and his ilk. It is exposing quite a few folks’ extreme views that were traditionally hidden behind closed doors.”

Since the announcement was made by the Home Office, it has emerged Cameron Barracks requires a £1m revamp, including new boilers and the possible removal of asbestos.

Contract tender documents seen by The Times suggested the work was due to begin in January, weeks after the asylum seekers were supposed to be moving in.

There are questions over whether the arrivals could be delayed over fears of a legal challenge from migrants over the conditions. Councillors in Inverness are set to meet in the coming days amid suggestions they could use planning laws to block the plans.

Swinney: It’s a mess

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney said UK ministers, who are responsible for the asylum system, had made “another mess”.

He said: “What will be the availability of healthcare services? What will be the availability of support services? We have no answers to these questions. The Home Office has given no answers whatsoever.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

“This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities.

“We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across government so that we can accelerate delivery.”