LONDON (AP) — Leading British politicians are urging the BBC to conduct a prompt investigation into allegations that one of its prominent presenters paid a teenager for explicit photos.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has held crisis talks with the director-general of the broadcaster, emphasizing the need for a swift and sensitive inquiry into these “deeply concerning” claims.
The BBC, as a publicly funded national broadcaster, is facing scrutiny after The Sun newspaper published reports that the male presenter had been transferring £35,000 ($45,000) to a young person starting in 2020, when the individual was 17 years old.
Neither the presenter nor the teenager has been identified. Various renowned BBC personalities have come forward on social media to deny their involvement.
Although the age of consent in Britain is 16, it is illegal to create or possess explicit images of anyone under 18.
The Sun reported that the young person’s mother had lodged a complaint with the BBC in May. It remains unclear what action, if any, the broadcaster has taken.
In response, the BBC stated, “We take all allegations very seriously and have established proactive processes to address them.”
“If new information arises, whether from newspapers or other sources, we will handle it appropriately according to our internal procedures,” the broadcaster added.
Reports from British media indicate that the presenter in question was not scheduled to appear on air in the near future, but it is uncertain whether the individual has been suspended.
Frazer confirmed that Director General Tim Davie has assured her of the BBC’s commitment to conducting a swift and sensitive investigation.
“Given the gravity of the allegations, it is vital to allow the BBC the space it needs to establish the facts and take appropriate action. I will be kept informed,” Frazer stated on social media.
Rachel Reeves, the economy spokesperson for the opposition Labour Party, has urged the BBC to expedite their processes and address internal issues.
Recently, another UK broadcaster, ITV, faced its own scandal when long-time morning show host Phillip Schofield resigned in May after admitting to lying about an affair with a much younger colleague.
ITV executives were summoned to Parliament to provide explanations regarding allegations of a “toxic” work culture and cover-ups of misconduct by their stars.
The BBC is under greater scrutiny compared to other broadcasters due to its taxpayer-funded status and commitment to impartiality in news coverage. In March, the network was embroiled in a controversy over free speech and political bias when leading sports presenter and former England soccer player Gary Lineker criticized the government’s immigration policy on social media.
Lineker was suspended initially but was later reinstated after other sports presenters, analysts, and Premier League players boycotted BBC airwaves in solidarity.
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