BBC boss faces grilling today as presenter scandal deepens after family of youngster say corporation IGNORED testimony
BBC boss Tim Davie is facing a grilling today after the broadcaster was accused of ignoring claims a presenter paid thousands to a teen who sent him sexual images.
The male employee has been suspended from the Beeb after the youngster’s family told The Sun they were given £35,000 over three years.
Director-general Tim Davie is now set to face the media as the scandal deepens.
The BBC chief was due to appear for a scheduled briefing following the release of the corporation’s annual report at midday.
He is now likely to be bombarded with questions over the claims after the family accused the BBC of ignoring their bombshell testimony.
The youngster’s stepdad claimed he told Beeb bosses they had screenshots of contact between their child and the star.
He said: “We put the allegations to them for an hour.”
But they claim the presenter remained on air and was not even spoken to until The Sun contacted the BBC last week.
The stepfather accused the BBC of lying after it said “new allegations” emerged, leading to the star’s suspension on Sunday.
He fumed: “They’re not telling the truth. I told them the youngster was 20 and it had been going on for three years.”
He added: “I told the BBC I had gone to the police in desperation but they couldn’t do anything as they said it wasn’t illegal. They knew all of this.”
He also said the money did not stop, adding: “I don’t even think they spoke to him.”
The BBC star is accused of paying the youngster thousands – with the money allegedly spent on a “spiralling” crack habit.
A lawyer for the youngster says nothing unlawful or inappropriate happened.
But their family say they have only spoken out to help save their vulnerable addict child.
The mother and stepfather also questioned who had paid to provide their child with an expensive lawyer.
The mum said: “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.”