BBC under fire over ‘derisory’ handling of claims presenter paid teen for explicit photos

Rachel Reeves says BBC presenter allegations ‘deeply concerning’ The BBC has come under fire for its handling of allegations a presenter paid a vulnerable teenager for explicit pictures. The unnamed BBC star has been accused of paying the teenager more than £35,000 since they were 17, which they are said to have used to fund a crack cocaine addiction. The young person’s family is said to have complained to the BBC in May but approached a newspaper after the presenter remained on air. Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Tory chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said she was concerned that the corporation had taken ‘a very long time’ to investigate the allegations. She said: “It’s vital that TV companies have in place the right systems and processes to ensure their stars, who have disproportionate power and influence over the lives and careers of others, don’t abuse it. The BBC has come under fire for its handling of the presenter photo allegations “Clearly the BBC now has some questions to answer. There is pressure on their HR department to investigate these latest claims quickly and explain what has happened since this story first came to light back in May.” Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel said the broadcaster’s response had been “derisory”. She said: “They must provide the victim and his family a full and transparent investigation. “The BBC which is funded by licence fee payers has become a faceless and unaccountable organisation.” Conservative MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns added: ‘The public deserve to know what the BBC did to investigate why a taxpayer-funded presenter was sending thousands of pounds in cash to a 17-year-old teenager.’ Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the star should not stay in his job while an investigation is carried out. Ms Reeves told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “The idea that some presenters think that they act with impunity and they can get away with these sorts of things, it does call into question the ethics, the investigations, how long these things take. “The BBC, but also other broadcasters, do need to get a grip because we seem to lurch from one scandal to another and more needs to be done.” Trending The young person’s mother is said to have approached the BBC on May 19 and pleaded with them to make the star ‘stop sending the cash’. They told The Sun: ‘When I see him on telly, I feel sick. I blame this BBC man for destroying my child’s life. “Taking my child’s innocence and handing over the money for crack cocaine that could kill my child.’ In a second day of revelations, the Mirror reported that the host partied with BBC bosses at an awards ceremony after the allegations were made. It has also been alleged the presenter appeared in his underwear in a video call with the young person. The host is not due to be on air in the near future but it is not clear if there has been a formal suspension. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info