10 July 2023 , 10:40
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GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes claimed the BBC is 'prolonging the inevitable' by not naming the presenter behind the teen sex picture scandal.
An unnamed male BBC employee was suspended following allegations a presenter paid a teenager for sexually explicit images.
It followed reports on Friday from the mother of the alleged victim, saying her child was paid more than £35,000 for sexually explicit pictures.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said that the corporation was investigating 'swiftly and sensitively' into the 'deeply concerning' claims.
In an email sent to staff, he set out the reasons why they haven't named the presenter.
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"By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex," he said.
"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."
Tim continued: "We are in contact with the family referenced in the media reports. I want to assure you that we are working rapidly to establish the facts and to ensure that these matters are handled fairly and with care, including by external authorities where appropriate."
An unnamed BBC presenter has been suspended (Getty Images)And now, former This Morning host Eamonn has weighed in on the decision to keep the presenter's identity hidden.
During a review of the newspapers, the GB News presenter said: "I'm not sure exactly why the presenter hasn't been named yet.
"I’m not sure whose purpose that serves because sure as heck, it’ll be out in the next couple of days. I mean, they're only just prolonging the inevitable on this…"
Later, during an interview with former police officer Mark Williams-Thomas, Eamonn said: "The name is going to come out. It's going to come out and I don't really understand why it isn't already but, do you agree?"
The mother of the teen, now 20, claimed her child used the money to fund an addiction to crack cocaine and blames the unnamed presenter for "destroying her child's life".
The teen, who is remaining anonymous, allegedly went from a "happy-go-lucky" teen to a "ghost-like" addict in only a few years.
Reportedly, the family of the concerned recipient approached the BBC on May 19 and pleaded with the tax-payer funded corporation to beg the man to "stop sending cash".
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"I blame this BBC man for destroying my child's life," they added.
The unnamed presenter is currently under investigation by the BBC. And the Metropolitan Police has confirmed it has been contacted by the BBC about the allegations.