09 July 2023 , 21:49
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The BBC presenter accused of paying a teenager for sexually explicit images reportedly made calls to them after initial reports emerged on Friday.
It's claimed the unnamed star, who was suspended by the BBC on Sunday, allegedly rang the teenager in question - who is now 20 - asking: "What have you done?"
The male presenter also reportedly asked the now 20-year-old to get their mum to "stop the investigation" last week, as it's revealed the BBC were told of the allegations in May.
On Sunday it was announced an unnamed male BBC employee has been suspended following the allegations a presenter paid a teenager for sexually explicit images.
The mother of the teenager in question claims her child was paid more than £35,000 for sexually explicit pictures. She also says her child used the money to fund an addiction to crack cocaine and blames the presenter for "destroying her child's life".
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The unnamed presenter was suspended from the BBC this afternoon. The license-payer-funded corporation 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. 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."
It has since been reported by The Sun that the youngster who it is claimed sent images to the presenter received calls from the BBC star last week - allegedly asking them to get their mother "stop the investigation.
The publication also reports BBC sources claiming: "The BBC has started to receive calls from the public about the behaviour of the person at the centre of the investigation."
On Sunday evening, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the BBC has made contact with them but that there hasn't been any formal allegations.
It was initially reported the BBC initially had been in contact with the police regarding the presenter. The force confirmed: "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."