Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has held urgent talks with BBC director-general Tim Davie over "deeply concerning" allegations that an unnamed presenter paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos.
Senior Government officials have told the broadcaster that the allegations reported by The Sun newspaper must be investigated "urgently and sensitively", and insisted that the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) be kept updated with investigations. A phone call took place on Sunday afternoon between Frazer and Davie, after which the Culture Secretary issued an update on Twitter.
"I have spoken to BBC Director General Tim Davie about the deeply concerning allegations involving one of its presenters," she wrote in a tweet. "He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively. Given the nature of the allegations it is important that the BBC is now given the space to conduct its investigation, establish the facts and take appropriate action. I will be kept updated."
