Por Jill Lawless – The Associated Press
A group of leading UK politicians has asked the British public broadcaster (BBC) to quickly investigate allegations against a well-known presenter that he allegedly paid a teenager for explicit photos.
Culture Minister Lucy Frazer spoke with the network’s CEO, saying the “deeply worrying” allegations must be investigated “swiftly and sensitively.”
The publicly funded chain is under intense pressure after The Sun newspaper published allegations that a presenter gave a young man £35,000 (about $45,000) starting in 2020, when the boy was 17.
Neither the journalist nor the teenager were identified. Amid speculation on social media about the presenter’s identity, several of the BBC’s best-known stars have spoken out to say it wasn’t them.
Although the age of sexual consent in Britain is 16, it is an offense to make or possess sexual images of children under 18.
According to The Sun, the young man’s mother complained to the BBC in May, but it is unknown if the network took action. In a recent statement she said: “We treat any allegations very seriously and have processes in place to deal with them proactively.”
“If, at any time, new information comes to light or is provided – even through newspapers – it will be acted upon, in accordance with internal processes,” he added.
The British media reported that the presenter will not participate in future programs of the chain, but it is unknown if he was suspended.
The Minister of Culture assured on social networks: “Due to the nature of the accusations, it is important that the BBC has the necessary space to carry out its investigation, establish the facts and take the appropriate measures.” Rachel Reeves, a spokeswoman for the opposition Labor Party, said for her part that the BBC must “speed up its processes” and “get its house in order.”
Britain’s commercial network ITV also recently faced a scandal after Phillip Schofield, who for many years hosted its popular morning show, resigned in May, admitting he had lied about an affair with a much younger colleague.
ITV executives were summoned to Parliament to answer whether the chain had a toxic work culture and had covered up improper behavior by its stars.
The BBC faces greater scrutiny than other broadcasters because it is funded by taxpayers and is committed to maintaining fairness in its news coverage.
In March it was embroiled in a controversy over free speech and political bias when its main sports presenter, former English footballer Gary Lineker, criticized the Conservative government’s immigration policy on social media.
Lineker was suspended and reinstated after other Premier League sports presenters, analysts and players boycotted the BBC in solidarity with the former footballer.
2023-07-09 14:55:56
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