British broadcaster underneath strain over claims a well known presenter is embroiled in a case of sexual misconduct with a minor.
The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) has suspended a number one presenter who allegedly paid a teenage woman for sexually specific images after senior British politicians referred to as on the community to quickly examine the accusations.
The general public broadcaster is underneath strain after The Solar newspaper reported allegations on Sunday that the male presenter gave an unidentified youth, who was 17 years outdated on the time, 35,000 kilos ($45,000) beginning in 2020 for the pictures.
Hypothesis in regards to the id of the accused presenter – who has but to be named – lit up social media, and several other of the BBC’s best-known personalities distanced themselves from the story.
Although the age of sexual consent in Britain is 16, it’s a crime to make or possess indecent photographs of anybody underneath 18.
{The teenager}’s household complained to the broadcaster on Might 19, however the presenter was not instantly taken off the air, in line with The Solar, which mentioned the household had not requested fee for his or her story.
The information report mentioned the household wished the person to cease sending cash as a result of their relative was utilizing it to fund a crack cocaine dependancy.
‘Deeply regarding’
In an announcement, the BBC mentioned “we deal with any allegations very significantly and we have now processes in place to proactively cope with them”.
It mentioned the company had additionally been in contact with “exterior authorities”, however didn’t specify whether or not that was the police.
“It is a advanced and fast-moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as shortly as potential to ascertain the details to be able to correctly inform applicable subsequent steps,” it mentioned. “We will additionally verify a male member of employees has been suspended.”
Tradition Secretary Lucy Frazer held pressing talks with the BBC’s Director-Basic Tim Davie on Sunday in regards to the allegations, which she described as “deeply regarding”.
“[Davie] has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively,” she mentioned on Twitter. “Given the character of the allegations it is necessary that the BBC is now given the house to conduct its investigation, set up the details and take applicable motion.”
Rachel Reeves, financial system spokeswoman for the opposition Labour Celebration, mentioned the BBC wanted to “velocity up their processes” and “get their home so as”.
The BBC faces better scrutiny than different broadcasters as a result of it’s taxpayer-funded and dedicated to remaining neutral in its information protection.
It was engulfed in a storm over free speech and political bias in March when its main sports activities presenter, former England soccer participant Gary Lineker, criticised the federal government’s immigration coverage on social media.
Lineker was suspended after which restored after different sports activities presenters, analysts and Premier League gamers boycotted the BBC airwaves in solidarity.
