BBC stars deny being the presenter accused of paying teenager for sexually explicit photos
Several BBC stars have spoken out to distance themselves from allegations that an unnamed presenter paid a teenager more than £35,000 for sexually explicit photos.
The Sun has not named the “well-known” figure facing the accusations, but said they are paid a six-figure salary and are currently off-air.
The claims have prompted frenzied speculation over the man’s identity on social media.
But legal experts, including former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal, have warned the public that they face being sued if they make false accusations online.
He wrote on Twitter: “Bit of legal advice… If you name someone and get it wrong then they may sue you for defamation and you can say goodbye to everything you own. So don’t.”
The string of false claims have angered several high-profile BBC stars, prompting some to publicly speak out to clear their names.
Nicky Campbell
The BBC Radio 5 Live presenter is among those speaking out and appears to have gone to the police after being wrongly named as the man online.
He posted a website screenshot on Twitter which said: “Thank you for contacting the Metropolitan Police Service to report your crime.”
Nicky Campbell suggested he had gone to the police after being falsely named online
Mr Campbell added: “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.”
He also wrote “please delete these or I will sue you” and “coming for you” in response to other Twitter users who appeared to falsely accuse him.
Gary Lineker
The former England football star and Match Of The Day presenter was another big name to hit out.
“Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me,” he tweeted.
The presenter also does not fit The Sun’s description of the unnamed star being paid a six-figure salary, based on the latest available figures.
A report released by the BBC last summer revealed he was on a higher wage of seven figures – of between £1,350,000 and £1,354,999.
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Rylan Clark
The TV and radio host is another innocent man who has spoken out after being wrongly named.
The 34-year-old wrote on Twitter: “Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun – that ain’t me babe.
“I’m currently filming a show in Italy for the bbc, so take my name out ya mouths.”
Jeremy Vine
The BBC Radio 2 presenter also reacted with frustration to claims that he was the man involved in the allegations.
The father-of-two said: “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday – whoever the ‘BBC Presenter’ in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.”
Vine also ‘liked’ a Tweet which said: “I find both Jeremy Vine and Rylan mildly irritating and I switch channels when they appear… However, there’s no way either of them deserves to be a target of such speculation.”
The rest
Several other presenters have also been falsely named on social media – but have so far decided not to issue public denials.
Dozens of BBC hosts are paid six-figure salaries or do not currently have shows on air, prompting concerns that many of them could have their reputations unfairly tarnished by being wrongly linked to the allegations.
BBC special correspondent Lucy Manning told the corporation’s News at Ten programme: “The BBC will need to answer… if it’s fair to other presenters unconnected to this that their names are now sort of in the headlines.”
Assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes at its second reading in the House of Commons – a majority of 55.
Politics Live: MPs voting on historic assisted dying legislation
The bill would allow adults who are terminally ill with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Today’s result means the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for scrutiny, with the Lords also to be given opportunities to express their views on the measure before it potentially becomes law.
MPs were given a free vote – meaning they could side with their conscience and not along party lines, with the government staying neutral on the matter.
The division list showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the proposal, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
But other cabinet members like Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against the bill, having previously warned about vulnerable people being coerced and of a “slippery slope of death on demand”.
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MPs debate assisted dying
The vote came after a five-hour debate in the chamber, which drew emotional arguments on both sides.
Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell revealed he changed his mind on assisted dying after finding himself with “tears pouring down my face” on hearing the stories of constituents whose loved ones had died “in great pain and great indignity”.
On the other side of the argument, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said assisted dying could result in sick people “feeling like a burden” on society, adding: ” I can imagine myself saying that in particular circumstances.”
She warned: “If this bill passes, we will have the NHS as a fully-funded 100% suicide service but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best.”
Bill about ‘choice and dignity’
Opening the debate on the topic, Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater said the bill was about giving dying people “choice, autonomy, and dignity” – saying the current law was “failing” them.
Kim Leadbeater: PA
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She has insisted her bill contains “the most robust safeguards” of any assisted dying legislation in the word.
This includes two independent doctors having to approve the decision, followed by a high-court judge, with the person having to administer the drugs themselves.
The legislation also includes a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying or taking the medicine.
Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby after the vote, an emotional Ms Leadbeater said she was “incredibly proud” of the result and parliament must now “take on board everything that’s been discussed in the chamber”, including the state of palliative care and the rights of disabled people.
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