BBC launch 'swift and sensitive' probe into sex pic allegation as Culture Secretary speaks to broadcaster

The BBC has launched an investigation after a top presenter was accused of paying a teenager more than £35,000 for sexually explicit photos.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer confirmed she spoke with the broadcaster's director general Tim Davie.

Writing on Twitter, Frazer said: "I have spoken to BBC Director General Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations involving one of its presenters.

"He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively.

"Given the nature of the allegations it is important that the BBC is now given the space to conduct its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action. I will be kept updated."

Frazer's conversation with Davie came after a spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media & Sport labelled the allegation "deeply concerning".

The unnamed BBC presenter, who is thought to be a "household name", was accused of sending thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos.

The allegations date back to 2020, when the recipient was only 17.

The mother of the youth, now aged 20, 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.”

She added: “There were huge sums, hundreds or thousands of pounds at a time.

“One time he had sent £5,000 in one lump.

“The money had been in exchange for sexually explicit photographs of my child.”

The money handed to the now-20-year-old supposedly transformed a “happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict” over the course of three years.

A BBC spokesperson said: "We treat any allegations very seriously, and we have processes in place to proactively deal with them.

"As part of that, if we receive information that requires further investigation or examination, we will take steps to do this.

"That includes actively attempting to speak to those who have contacted us in order to seek further detail and understanding of the situation."

They added: "If we get no reply to our attempts or receive no further contact that can limit our ability to progress things, but it does not mean our enquiries stop.

"If, at any point, new information comes to light or is provided - including via newspapers - this will be acted upon appropriately, in line with internal processes."