BBC presenter accused of paying teen for sexually explicit photos ‘tried to stop investigation after story broke’
The BBC presenter who is alleged to have paid a 17-year-old tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images reportedly made two “panicked” calls to the young person after the story broke last week.
In new allegations published in The Sun, the male presenter – who has not been named but is said to be a “household name” – called the young person to ask “what have you done?”.
He then allegedly asked the young person to speak to his mother and urge her to stop the investigation, the paper added.
The mother of the now-20-year-old also claimed she was “upset” by the wording of a BBC statement, and that no one from the broadcaster initially got in touch with her when she raised a complaint in May.
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BBC suspends unnamed presenter
The presenter, who was suspended by the BBC on Sunday, reportedly paid £35,000 for the photographs – the money of which, the mother has claimed, has been spent on a drug habit.
He allegedly first requested images from the youngster in 2020 when they were aged 17 and has made a series of payments over the years, according to The Sun.
The youngster’s mother told The Sun she saw a picture of the presenter on her child’s phone “sitting on a sofa in his house in his underwear”.
The mother said she was told it was “a picture from some kind of video call” and looked like he was “getting ready for my child to perform for him”.
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In a statement, the broadcaster said it “takes any allegations seriously” and has “robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations”.
The BBC said that while it first became aware of a complaint in May, “new allegations” of a “different nature” were put to it on Thursday, adding it had been “in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols”.
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed it had been contacted by the BBC but said “no formal referral or allegation has been made”.
BBC taking allegations ‘incredibly seriously’
In an email to staff on Sunday, 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 also want to be very clear that I am wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent.
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Culture sec avoids questions on BBC scandal
“We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports. I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts.”
The corporation said it expected to be able to provide a further update in the “coming days”.
On Sunday, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the BBC was acting “swiftly and sensitively”.
She had spoken to Mr Davie on the phone and tweeted: “Given the nature of the allegations it is important that the BBC is now given the space to conduct its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action.”
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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