BBC presenter allegations.

NanaDana

We don't have an identified perpetrator to focus on, so let's have a go at the alleged victim's Mother instead, despite the fact that we know nothing about the circumstances in which she felt it appropriate to contact the media, and that she must already be hurting so much. Sad.

Wow, interesting "spin".

We don't have any verified information other than the Sun reported on a "Story" told to them.

We have no more facts than that.

I believe the matter has now been reported to the police, it’s best to wait until a statement is issued imho.

I suppose it was different times then.

Bill Wyman, of the Stones openly had a relationship with Mandy Smith, when she was 13/14. I think in the 1980's?

Nothing much was said - nowadays, rightly, all hell would break loose.😗

Good post Casdon and yes exactly mistakes all round

Also

GrannyGravy yes, re The Sun and Sam Fox.
Terry Christian tweeted this

Yes its awful for innocent people who are having their names bandied about.

Let’s be honest, we know virtually nothing. It’s all very well blaming the BBC, blaming the mother, blaming the presenter. Actually, so far we don’t know what information the BBC initially received or what they did with it, we don’t know whether the mother’s motives were what she says they were, and we don’t know whether the presenter believed the young person was over 18, how they met them, whether they were one of many people the young person was potentially selling services to, whether they were being blackmailed - it’s all speculation and gossip. All we actually know is that a presenter has been suspended pending further investigation.
The Sun should have gone to the police, and used their powers directly with the BBC to force action in my opinion if they believed the mother and had the young person’s permission, not indulged in irresponsible journalism that will destroy lives.

Nanawind

Can you imagine if you were a BBC presenter and was on holiday.
So didn't appear on TV everyone will think it's you.

Nahil Arthanayake of Radio 5 tweeted to explain that he was off air this week because he was at Wimbledon

I didn’t have babysitters when my daughters were 17 yet it’s against the law to leave a child alone

Anniebach

The NSPCC had no problem with a 17 year appearing topless in the Sun

Sam Fox was only 16 when she first appeared topless in The Sun, she quit her school exams and moved straight onto Page 3

dragonfly46

Where does it say he is a news reader Fanny?

That’s what they have been saying all morning on The Workd Sevice and The Today Program

Anniebach

The NSPCC had no problem with a 17 year appearing topless in the Sun

Spot on 👍

BlueBelle

Do we know FOR SURE who the mother first contacted there have been so many conflicting reports surely best to wait till it all comes out and I m sure it will at some stage
Nothing wrong in chewing it over on here but not the blame game mother / presenter/ BBC etc we don’t know any facts yet

I blame them all. Any concerns should be reported. As a large organisation I would have expected the BBC to have safeguarding policies in place. They may however have been influenced by their mistakes over Cliff Richard.

The NSPCC had no problem with a 17 year appearing topless in the Sun

Do we know FOR SURE who the mother first contacted there have been so many conflicting reports surely best to wait till it all comes out and I m sure it will at some stage
Nothing wrong in chewing it over on here but not the blame game mother / presenter/ BBC etc we don’t know any facts yet

This should have been referred straight to the Police and/or the NSPCC. I speak in my experience as a safeguarding officer in a volunteer role for the FA this is what we are taught. The safety of the child is paramount. Both the BBC and The Sun should have gone to the Police if the mother didn’t. The police would have told the BBC the correct procedures back in May. Dh said the director of the BBC didn’t know about it until last Thursday.

Nanawind

Can you imagine if you were a BBC presenter and was on holiday.
So didn't appear on TV everyone will think it's you.

One of the BBC morning Team has announced he's on planned Holiday booked weeks ago. How sad he's had a say that.

Was it the mother or the 20 year old who told the Sun of the telephone call

Can you imagine if you were a BBC presenter and was on holiday.
So didn't appear on TV everyone will think it's you.

Theexwife

eddiecat78

I do find it concerning that the mother felt it was more appropriate to speak to The Sun rather than the police. It is claimed that she hasn't taken any payment but she must be very naive if she thinks her child's identity will be protected now she has involved the tabloid press

The BBC has known since May, so maybe she went to the papers to expose the fact that nothing was being investigated.

As has been said, why go to the BBC and the Sun? This accusation should have been in the hands of the police from the beginning.

Posters logic is sadly lacking.

1) As the police are involved it is assumed there has been illegal activity

The police are involved because an accusation was made, NOT because there has or hasn't been any illegal activity. That can only be determined by the process of law. Not by members of the general public. Gnetters need to be careful what they publish.

NanaDana

Wyllow3

I cant help feeling that going to the Sun is far from the young persons best interests to it all to be so public.

I agree, Wyllow, but then I'm not in the shoes of this desperate Mother whose child is killing itself through drug addiction, funded by the alleged perpetrator. A nightmare situation, which I thankfully will never be in a position to relate to. So very sad.

... and this child - this now young person is aware that the whole nation is currently speculating over the incident, which I can't believe will be beneficial to his / her mental health.

I hope the mother consulted her offspring before making the decision to go to The Sun.

I'm certainly not going to speculate on the identity of the presenter... the important thing is for that person to be brought to justice, and procedures put in place in organisations like the BBC in an attempt to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the first instance.

The important matter here is that young people are protected from grooming and exploitation by those in powerful positions... or even those who are not.

DaisyAnneReturns

Kate1949

The name of the alleged person is now all over social media. Probably wrong.

More than one person has been named and all those people may choose to sue for huge amounts in deformation. I hope they do. We should not have trail by social media.

Exactly - it is a very sad business!!

I presume she felt not enough was being done, quickly enough, in which case surely a threat to go public would have achieved her aim. Just hope the young man is getting treatment now.

The mother has given interviews to other media, although I think she'd have been better not to.

Most media seem to be saying the young person was a male, aged 17.

As it's illegal to share indecent images of anyone under 18, I assume that's what the police are investigating.

All sounds very sordid,