BBC under fire over time it took to suspend presenter as ‘celeb police unit’ called in

Refusing to name the BBC host also led to wild speculation online over the identity of the figure. Three stars, Gary Lineker, Rylan Clarke and Jeremy Vine, had to issue denials after their names were mentioned

The star accused of paying a teenager for sexual images has been reported to police by the BBC and suspended.

But the corporation is still under fire for taking so long to act on a complaint made in May. BBC director general Tim Davie claimed the presenter was dropped after “new ­allegations” came to light.

Labour’s Rachel Reeves said: “The BBC needs to get a grip. We seem to lurch from one scandal to another.”

BBC bosses are under scrutiny over taking so long to suspend the presenter accused of paying a teenager £35,000 for sexual images over the past three years.