A BBC star has been taken off air and suspended after he allegedly paid a youngster for sexual pictures.
The well-known presenter, who has not been named, is said to have paid the youngster more than £35,000 since 2020.
A BBC presenter has been suspended after he was accused of paying a teen for sexual imagesCredit: AlamyWhat have the BBC said about the presenter?
Here's what the BBC statement says in full: “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.
“It is important that these matters are handled fairly and with care.
Two New York cops stabbed during celebrations in Times Square“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.”
The BBC released its statement when it announced the presenter had been suspended.
The star had already been pulled off air after the alleged victim's mother said they had used the cash to fund a crack habit.
She 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."
Latest on BBC sex probe:
- BBC star who 'paid teen for sex pics' could face years in prison
- Alleged victim’s mum claims star stripped to his pants for call
- 8 questions BBC refused to answer about star taken off air
- Star 'partied with BBC bosses AFTER complaint made'
- Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark & Jeremy Vine all deny being the star
- The presenter allegedly gave the teen £35k for sordid images
- Mum blames BBC man for giving money for drugs to her child
- The presenter is suspended by BBC while it investigates
The furious mother told how her child had gone from “a happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict” in just three years.
At least nine killed after New Year's Day stampede at shopping centreThey approached The Sun, making it clear they wanted no payment.
The mother said: “All I want is for this man to stop paying my child for sexual pictures and stop him funding my child’s drug habit.”
She told how her child, now 20, had shown her an online bank statement that had numerous deposits from the star.
Holding back tears, 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.”