Police are investigating further to determine if any crime was committed after a BBC presenter allegedly paid a teenager thousands of pounds to take sexually explicit photos, reports RTE.
Broadcaster officials met with detectives this morning, who said they were evaluating the information discussed at the meeting but had not yet launched an investigation.
A man on BBC staff has been sacked after he claimed to have paid a young man aged 17 nearly £35,000 (€40,000) over three years for classified photos.
The BBC said it had been investigating the allegation since May, when it first became aware of it, and on Thursday a new allegation of a “different nature” was made.
In addition to cooperating with the police, the corporation conducts its own investigation and talks with the teenager’s family.
In a statement last night, London’s Metropolitan Police said: “The Met has received initial contact from the BBC in relation to this matter, but no formal referral or allegation has been made. We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow,” reports RTE.
BBC director-general Tim Davie has said he is “wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent” after a host of famous BBC faces were forced to publicly state they were not the individual in question amid heavy speculation about the identity on social media,” reports RTE.
In a memo sent to staff and seen by PA, Mr Davey said the corporation “all such allegations incredibly seriously”, reports RTE.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: “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 inquiries 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,” reports RTE.
In the newspaper’s complaint, the Sun claims the BBC star paid £35,000 (€40,000) to the man, who was 17 when the payments began, in exchange for the photo.
The teenager’s mother told The Sun she saw a photo of the presenter on her child’s phone “sitting on a sofa in his house in his underwear”, reports RTE.
Reportedly, the family complained to the BBC on May 19 but were disappointed the star stayed on air.
Mr Davey’s note to staff yesterday read: “The BBC became aware of a complaint in May; the BBC investigations team have been looking into this since it was raised and have been actively following up. New allegations, of a different nature, were put to us on Thursday, and in addition to our own enquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols,” reports RTE.
He 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,” reports RTE.
Yesterday, Britain’s culture secretary Lucy Fraser said Mr Davey had assured her the corporation was “quickly and gently investigating” the allegations.
Gary Lineker and Rylan Clarke were among the BBC stars who have publicly said they are not the presenters in question, with Lineker tweeting: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me,” reports RTE.
While Clark wrote: “Not sure why my name’s floating about but re that story in the Sun – that ain’t me babe. I’m currently filming a show in Italy for the BBC, so take my name out ya mouths,” reports RTE.
Jeremy Vine also said: “Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday — whoever the ‘BBC Presenter’ in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me,” reports RTE.
Nikki Campbell reported that he contacted the police about false references to the story online.
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