Culture Secretary and BBC boss to discuss ‘concerning’ allegations

Senior officials have told the BBC that the allegations reported by the Sun must be investigated “urgently and sensitively” and that the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) will need to be kept updated.

Ms Frazer and Mr Davie will speak via a phone call on Sunday as the BBC comes under pressure over its handling of the complaint.

Lucy Frazer will talk with BBC boss Tim Davie (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Culture Secretary and BBC director-general to hold urgent talks today

A DCMS spokeswoman said: “These allegations are deeply concerning.

“As a public service broadcaster in receipt of public funding, senior officials have stressed to the BBC that the allegations must be investigated urgently and sensitively, with the department kept informed.

“The Culture Secretary will be speaking to Tim Davie later today.”

Tim Davie will speak with Lucy Frazer over the phone today (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)

BBC stars deny claims as presenter remains unnamed

Since the presenter remains unnamed, speculation has risen on social media leading to some BBC presenters speaking out and denying the claims in a bid to stop the rumours.

A number of BBC stars, including Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine and Nicky Campbell,  have taken to social media to remove themselves from the allegations.

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.

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 8, 2023

The teenager was 17 years old when the payments first began and their family launched a complaint to the BBC on May 19.

The mother exclusively told The Sun that their child had used the money to “fund a cocaine habit.”

Although the alleged presenter has not been named, the publisher understands they have been “taken off air.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We treat any allegations very seriously and we have processes in place to proactively deal with them.

“As part of that, if we receive information that requires further investigation or examination we will take steps to do this. That includes actively attempting to speak to those who have contacted us in order to seek further detail and understanding of the situation.

“If we get no reply to our attempts or receive no further contact that can limit our ability to progress things but it does not mean our enquiries stop.

“If, at any point, new information comes to light or is provided – including via newspapers – this will be acted upon appropriately, in line with internal processes.”