Why hasn’t the BBC presenter been named publicly?
Since the news broke on Friday that a major BBC star had allegedly requested explicit pictures from a then-teenager in return for cash, many people have asked publicly, why his name has not been released.
The answer is complex, and invokes legal and editorial issues for news outlets in the UK.
One of the key considerations is that the allegations made in The Sun newspaper are just that – allegations.
It is not clear whether evidence has been seen by The Sun, and if it has, what that evidence is and who has supplied it.
Even then, other outlets, including Sky News, have not seen any evidence and would be relying on The Sun’s reporting.
It is also unclear if any laws have been broken, without knowing the content of the alleged photographs, and when exactly they were sent.
And for the BBC, bosses will obviously know who the man at the centre of this is, as they have suspended them, but even still, they will want to thoroughly investigate the allegations before releasing his name.
In an email to staff, director-general Tim Davie said the BBC was taking the allegations “incredibly seriously”.
He added: “By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex.
“I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
BBC suspends unnamed presenter
Read more:
Everything we know about the claims
BBC must ‘get a grip’ after new allegations
For other outlets, the UK has fairly strict defamation laws, which protect individuals against harm, reputational or otherwise, caused by things that have been said about them which turn out to be false.
Getting it wrong could ruin a person’s career, personal life and relationships – so there is significant risk to naming the man involved in this scandal, ethically, editorially and legally.
Even inference or innuendo, whether intentional or not, could also cause problems.
It is worth adding that laws around defamation do not just cover journalists, but everybody, so social media users posting online who they believe may or may not be involved, can still face legal action.
Nicky Campbell is among the presenters at the BBC who have already indicated they may involve the police, after people falsely named him as the person involved in this crisis on Twitter.
Usually in journalism with stories related to crimes or involving police, outlets would not name someone involved in a crime until they have been charged – though there are exceptions to this.
This is because if they are released and the case is dropped, the damage has already been done to the person named.
When a person is charged, it is an indication that the police are confident, or at least has evidence, of someone’s guilt.
Police have appealed for information after a man was charged with murdering two women and raping a third.
Simon Levy has been charged with murdering 53-year-old Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo who died on the Aylesbury Estate, south-east London, on 17 March, the Metropolitan Police said.
In September, Levy, of Beaufoy Road, Tottenham, north London, was charged with murdering 39-year-old Sheryl Wilkins who was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August.
He is also accused of grievous bodily harm with intent, non-fatal strangulation and two counts of rape against a third woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Haringey, north London, on 21 January, police said.
The 40-year-old will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with Ms Valencia-Trujillo’s murder.
Sheryl Wilkins was found unresponsive in High Road, Tottenham, on 24 August. Pic: Metropolitan Police
He is also due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday for a plea and trial preparation hearing for the murder of Ms Wilkins.
Detectives believe there may be individuals who have information relevant to this investigation – or who are yet to report incidents which have directly impacted them – and are asking for people to come forward.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the latest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
UK
Family of woman killed 56 years ago, in a case of mistaken identity, believe her remains are buried in a garden
A new “national day” to honour victims and survivors of terrorism will be added to the calendar from next year, it has been revealed.
The annual commemoration will fall on 21 August, and will be marked in a different place each year to recognise the widespread impact of terrorism around the country.
It comes after a 12-week public consultation showed 91% supported the plan for a national day, and 84% strongly supported the proposal.
Flowers left in St Ann’s Square, Manchester, to remember the Manchester Arena terror attack. Pic: PA
How the day will look, including a final name and symbol, will be worked out collaboratively between survivors and ministers, according to the Home Office.
But it will “honour and remember victims and survivors of terrorism”, encouraging survivors to access specialist support, spotlighting their stories, and educating the public.
A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that it would not be a bank holiday.
Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was killed in the IRA Brighton hotel bombing in 1984, said victims of terrorism would no longer be “a footnote of history”.
Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the Brighton bombing in 1984, with convicted bomber Patrick Magee in 2004. File pic: PA
She said: “What we remember as a nation matters. It sends a signal about what we value.
“For too long, survivors of terror attacks, and those who have been killed in them, have been a footnote of history. Survivors have felt ignored and forgotten.
“That’s why Survivors Against Terror launched a campaign for a new national day of memorial three years ago.”
Read more:
Referrals to UK counter-terrorism programme reach new high
I was reporting in London during 7/7 – here’s what happened
Travis Frain, who survived the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, also backed the campaign.
He said: “A national day would provide an opportunity to remember those we have lost, to pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of those who have survived these heinous acts, and for us to look forward to the future to educate the next generation.”
The date was chosen to coincide with the UN International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Plans have also been announced for a new support hub to help victims in the aftermath of terror attacks.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024