cotland Yard say detectives have been in touch with the BBC following allegations an unnamed presenter paid a youngster for sexually express pictures.
The pressure continues to be deciding if any motion is to be taken with the broadcaster already confirming the star in query has been suspended and brought off air.
A Met Police spokesperson mentioned on Sunday: “The Met has obtained preliminary contact from the BBC in relation to this matter, however no formal referral or allegation has been made.
“We would require further info earlier than figuring out what additional motion ought to comply with.”
In line with The Solar, the unnamed BBC star paid a youngster who was 17 when the funds started, and is now 20, £35,000 in alternate for sexual pictures.
A press release from the company mentioned: “The BBC takes any allegations severely and we have now sturdy inner processes in place to proactively cope with such allegations.
“This can be a complicated and fast-moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as rapidly as attainable to determine the details so as to correctly inform applicable subsequent steps.
“It is necessary that these issues are dealt with pretty and with care. We’ve got been clear that if – at any level – new info involves gentle or is supplied to us, this shall be acted upon appropriately and actively adopted up.
“The BBC first grew to become conscious of a criticism in Might. New allegations had been put to us on Thursday of a special nature and along with our personal enquiries we have now additionally been in contact with exterior authorities, consistent with our protocols.
“We are able to additionally affirm a male member of employees has been suspended. We count on to be ready to offer an extra replace within the coming days as the method continues. The BBC Board will proceed to be stored updated.”
The sufferer’s household mentioned they complained to the BBC on Might 19 together with her mom including that she noticed an image of the presenter on her youngster’s telephone the place he was “sitting on a settee in his home in his underwear”, and mentioned she was instructed it was “an image from some sort of video name”.
Such was the ordeal that the sufferer’s mom alleged her youngster had gone from “a happy-go-lucky teenager to a ghost-like crack addict” in three years.
The mom additionally claimed that earlier this 12 months she was shocked when she overheard the presenter “on the telephone saying to my youngster: ‘I instructed you to not f*****g ring me’.”
A letter printed by the broadcaster from Mr Davie to employees, mentioned: “By legislation, people are entitled to an inexpensive expectation of privateness, which is making this case extra complicated. I additionally need to be very clear that I’m wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the web about a few of our presenting expertise.
“We’re in touch with the household referenced within the media stories. I need to guarantee you that we’re working quickly to determine the details and to make sure that these issues are dealt with pretty and with care, together with by exterior authorities the place applicable.”
It got here as Tradition Secretary Lucy Frazer held pressing talks with BBC director-general Tim Davie over the “deeply regarding” allegations first reported by The Solar.
Senior officers have instructed the broadcaster that the allegations have to be investigated “urgently and sensitively”, with the Division of Tradition Media and Sport (DCMS) to be stored up to date.
In a tweet after a telephone name with the director-general, Ms Frazer mentioned: “I’ve spoken to BBC Director Common Tim Davie in regards to the deeply regarding allegations involving certainly one of its presenters.
“He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively.
“Given the character of the allegations it is vital that the BBC is now given the area to conduct its investigation, set up the details and take applicable motion. I shall be stored up to date.”
Chatting with Sophy Ridge earlier on Sunday, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves mentioned the allegations are “deeply regarding” and that the presenter shouldn’t have remained within the job whereas an investigation was underway.
“The BBC, but in addition different broadcasters, do have to get a grip as a result of we appear to lurch from one scandal to a different and extra must be completed,” the shadow chancellor mentioned.
“However when severe allegations are made like this, I don’t suppose it’s proper that these folks keep in these jobs while these very severe accusations go on.”
