Timeline main as much as suspension of presenter accused in BBC scandal

An unnamed BBC presenter has been suspended after being accused of paying an adolescent hundreds of kilos for sexually express images.

The male presenter – reportedly a “household name” – first requested photos in 2020 when the youth was aged 17 and made a sequence of funds over time, in accordance with The Sun.

They allegedly paid greater than £35,000, which the younger particular person had reportedly used to fund an dependancy to crack cocaine – which had “destroyed” their life.

BBC presenter claims newest: Police contacted over express images declare

In a press release on Sunday, the BBC stated the presenter had been suspended after it had acquired new allegations of a unique nature along with their very own enquiries.

It has additionally now been in contact with exterior authorities, the company stated.

Here is a take a look at what allegations have been made and after they first got here to mild.

Friday 19 May: The household first make a grievance to the BBC. In the grievance, they reportedly requested the broadcaster to make the person “stop sending the cash”.

When the presenter was nonetheless on air a month later, the household reportedly turned annoyed. The BBC confirmed in a press release that it had “first became aware of a complaint in May”.

June: The youth receives a £1,000 fee – allegedly made through PayPal, from the presenter, in accordance with The Sun. Their mom stated they “suddenly had this cash” after working out of cash.

She stated the fee had made it “obvious the BBC hadn’t spoken to this man… as they thought he was too important”.

She additionally claimed that originally, the “security boss gave us a number that didn’t exist”.

Thursday 6 July: The BBC receives “new allegations” of a “different nature” – however the broadcaster doesn’t reveal any additional particulars.

Friday 7 July: The Sun’s bombshell unique is printed each on-line and in print. The paper stated the presenter is “a familiar face who is known to millions” and can also be paid a six-figure wage by the BBC.

In the interview, the youth’s mom claimed that the presenter requested “performances” and that she had seen checking account statements exhibiting funds totalling greater than £35,000 – together with one lump sum of £5,000.

Now 20 years of age, the youth had used the presenter’s cash to gasoline a critical drug downside, the mom stated.

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 stated it might “take steps” to analyze additional “if we receive information”, together with “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 select to publicly clear their names after hypothesis concerning the identification of the presenter swirls on-line. Celebrities together with 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 launch separate statements on Twitter.

Clark, who stated he’s at the moment in Italy filming for the BBC, stated: “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 on-line. Sharing screenshots of the police web site on social media, he stated: “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 night, The Sun printed an replace to its allegations. It claimed that the youth’s mom had seen photos of the presenter sitting on his couch in his underpants. The image was reportedly taken throughout a video name between the pair.

Former house secretary Priti Patel referred to as 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 press release, it stated the scenario was “complex and fast moving” and the company 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 press release stated.

Director-general Tim Davie additionally despatched spherical an e mail to BBC employees, reiterating that it was taking the allegations “incredibly seriously”. He stated the BBC is in touch with the household referenced within the reviews and condemned rumours about “some of our presenting talent”. He additionally stated people concerned have been “entitled to privacy”.

A spokesperson for the Met Police later stated the power had “initial contact” from the BBC however that “no formal referral or allegation has been made”.

“We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow,” they stated.

Quite a lot of politicians additionally converse of their concern over the allegations. Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the Culture, Media and Sport committee, stated she was involved that the company had taken a “very long time” to analyze the claims.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, stated the scandal was “deeply concerning”.

When requested about an alleged delay in investigating the grievance, she advised 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 tradition secretary Lucy Frazer prevented questions concerning the scandal after being requested about it on the British Grand Prix.