‘Shocked and concerned’: Rishi Sunak breaks silence on BBC presenter claims

Rishi Sunak has commented on the BBC scandal (Image: Getty) Rishi Sunak has branded allegations that a senior BBC presenter paid thousands for sexually explicit images as “shocking and concerning”. The Prime Minister said he has not been told who the star at the centre of the storm is. But Mr Sunak says Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has been “reassured” the process being carried out by BBC top brass will be “rigorous and swift”. Speaking about the scandal for the first time, Mr Sunak said: “They were shocking and concerning allegations, of course they were. “The Culture Secretary spoke to the Director General on Sunday and is reassured the process they are taking is rigorous and will be swift. “We’ve had those reassurances and that’s the right thing to do. “Given the concerning nature of the allegations, it is right that they are investigated swiftly and rigorously. “It is important we now let that carry on.” Asked if he had been told who the unnamed TV presenter was, the Prime Minister told reporters: “No”. The BBC is facing a fresh storm over the allegations, which emerged over the weekend. Bosses were slammed for failing to suspend the presenter sooner and last night a lawyer acting on behalf of the alleged victim branded the claims “rubbish”. The family of the teenager – who is now 20 – stood by the allegations. A number of high-profile BBC presenters, such as Gary Lineker , Jeremy Vine and Nicky Campbell, have been forced to deny they were the BBC star being accused of paying for the images after a string of slanderous accusations on social media. But Mr Sunak, questioned whether the UK’s privacy laws are fit for purpose, said ministers are prioritising greater protections for children. The Prime Minister also told reporters: “The laws we have should be enforced. “But I think, in particular when it comes to how social media comes about, there’s clearly an impact on children. “That is why we need to make sure that our online environment is safe for our children and we’ve seen lots of instances where that hasn’t been the case. “That’s why we want to make sure we have new laws in place to strengthen protection for children and increase the safety of the environment for them. “I say that, first and foremost, as a dad-of-two young girls. I think that is the right focus for the Government.” He added: “I believe passionately in free speech, but when it comes to the safety and protection of our children, it is important that we ensure that those companies are exercising the responsibility that I think they all have.”