11 July 2023 , 21:36
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The BBC star accused of paying a teenage tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images is 'extremely angry' over the reporting of the allegations, Jon Sopel has revealed.
The former BBC News correspondent, 64, has weighed in on the scandal which has dominated front pages and social media conversations since reports first emerged on Friday.
In less than a week, multiple BBC stars h ave denied being the unnamed presenter at the heart of the allegations and senior politicians and the Metropolitan Police have met with the corporation, with police "undertaking further enquiries" into the allegations.
The male presenter accused of allegedly sending over £35,000 to a teenager - starting when the young person was 17 - was suspended by the BBC on Sunday.
On Monday, BBC News revealed the young person - now 20 - was disputing the claims made by their mother in a national newspaper - stating "nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place."
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BBC presenter 'extremely angry' after teen sex pic allegations, says Jon Sopel (Twitter)While the allegations only became public news on Friday, it's claimed the family of the 20-year-old first approached the BBC with concern weeks ago.
Now, journalist and TV star Jon has weighed in on the scandal, saying that the unnamed BBC presenter is 'extremely angry' over the allegations which have emerged and has said that the onus is 'now on The Sun to show us, or shut up' after the publication exposed the presenter's alleged antics.
"A number of people have been in touch with the presenter to say they feel righteous fury over the way The Sun has covered this and it is fair to say that the presenter at the heart of this is also extremely angry over a lot of The Sun coverage and is convinced they're trying to dig and find new dirt to harm this particular person's reputation," Jon said on The News Agents.
"The person at the centre of this - you can't imagine what a maelstrom it must be - is getting some support from across the world of broadcast but from outside that as well."
The BBC presenter in question is alleged to have 'ignored strict Covid rules' throughout the third national lockdown, with the virus claiming the lives of almost 227,000 in Britain.
A source has said: "The BBC were briefing the nation on the rules - when their star who was part of the institution was quite happy to break them.”
The unnamed BBC star allegedly sent the person on the dating app cash and also asked for a photograph, a source claimed to The Sun.
On Monday, BBC News revealed the young person - now 20 -was disputing the claims made by their mother in a national newspaper - stating "nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place.
While the allegations only became public news on Friday, it's claimed the family of the 20-year-old first approached the BBC with concern weeks ago.
Asked by Deadline why it took so long to contact the presenter, BBC boss Tim Davie said: "I think it’s right and fair-minded that they [investigators] should make contact with the individual who made that initial allegation to audience services, get some verification and talk to that person and understand exactly what they’re dealing with before they raise that with an individual [presenter]."
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It comes as BBC Director-General Tim Davie spoke to BBC Radio 4 this afternoon about the allegations relating to the sexually explicit images. The BBC have paused their investigation after meeting with the Metropolitan Police.
It has suspended a male member of staff after The Sun newspaper reported he paid a young person around £35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for explicit images.
In a statement released at lunchtime today, the BBC said it "takes these matters extremely seriously" as it released a timeline into how the original complaint was managed.
Mr Davie faced the media today for a scheduled briefing following the release of the corporation’s annual report, although the controversy will dominate the agenda.
It comes after sensational statements last night from a lawyer representing the young person at the centre of the allegations said they are "not true".
The mother of the alleged recipient claims her child used the money to fund an addiction to crack cocaine and says she blames the presenter for "destroying her child's life". She also claims to have first contacted the BBC regarding the allegations on May 19.
After lawyers representing the young person said the allegations are "not true", their mother and stepfather came forward and told how they stand by their claims.
They also questioned how the 20-year-old was able to afford a lawyer.
The mum told the publication this evening: "It is sad but we stand by our account and we hope they get the help they need. We did this to help - and the presenter has got into their head. How did they afford a lawyer? We are so sad."