Accused BBC presenter 'contacted youngster AFTER probe launched' and demanded: 'What have you done?'
It is alleged that the teenager was 17 when the images first began
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A household name presenter, suspended by the BBC over accusations of paying a teenager for sex images, is alleged to have contacted the family twice to try and put the brakes on the disclosures.
Accused of paying £35,000 for explicit photos over a three-year period, the BBC presenter is alleged to have since phoned the family to demand: “What have you done?”
The Sun, who first reported the allegations, narrows down the presenter as a “male member of staff,” who earns a six-figure salary and is currently off air.
The unnamed senior figure is said to have first asked the youngster for images when they were 17-years-old.
They have also been accused of continuing to make a number of payments over the years, which has helped fund the now-20-year-old's crack cocaine habit, according to the individual’s family.
Since the accusations have come to light, the BBC has admitted that it has “started to receive calls from the public about the behaviour of the person at the centre of the investigation.”
The youth’s mother first told The Sun on Friday: “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.”
The mother is also reported to have seen the BBC presenter stripped to his underpants for a video call with her child.
The Met Police are said to have been contacted by the BBC but no formal allegation has been made.
PA
She said: “He was leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him.”
With a limited amount of information being made available by the BBC on the identity of the individual, social media has become a hotbed of frenzied speculation.
A steady stream of presenters have taken the decision to publicly deny being the accused, including Gary Linkeker, Rylan Clark, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine.
In a statement, the BBC said : “The BBC takes any allegations seriously and we have robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations.
“This is a complex and fast moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts in order to properly inform appropriate next steps.
The BBC first became aware of a complaint in May.
PA
“It is important that these matters are handled fairly and with care.
“We have been clear that if - at any point - new information comes to light or is provided to us, this will be acted upon appropriately and actively followed up.
“The BBC first became aware of a complaint in May.
"New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own enquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.
“We can also confirm a male member of staff has been suspended.
“We expect to be in a position to provide a further update in the coming days as the process continues.
"The BBC Board will continue to be kept up to date.”
BBC SCANDAL LATEST:
A steady stream of presenters have taken the decision to publicly deny being the accused, including Gary Linkeker, Rylan Clark, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine.
PA
The 20-year-old at the centre of the investigation is said to be upset by the wording of the statement.
In an internal email, BBC director-general Tim Davie, 56, added: "By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex.
"I also want to be very clear that I am wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent.
"We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports.
"I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts and to ensure that these matters are handled fairly and with care, including by external authorities where appropriate."
The Met Police are said to have been contacted by the BBC but no formal allegation has been made.