Jeremy Vine threatens legal action against trolls amid BBC scandal
Jeremy Vine threatens legal action against trolls as BBC stars line up to deny they are presenter accused of paying teen for sexual photos – while Tim Davie blasts ‘unsubstantiated’ speculation on social media
- Radio 2 host was one of the first presenters to deny involvement in the scandal
Jeremy Vine has threatened legal action against a slew of Twitter trolls after they falsely accused him of being the BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager £35,000 for sexually explicit images.
Mr Vine, 58, has told social media users who allegedly libelled him that he has screenshotted their ‘defamatory’ tweets and his lawyer ‘will be in touch in the coming days’.
The Radio 2 lunchtime programme host, who was one of the first BBC celebrities to deny involvement in the scandal, claims that a defamation lawyer advised him that committing libel is the ‘quickest way to lose £20,000.’
It comes as Radio 5 Live’s Nihal Arthanayake has become the latest presenter to deny the allegations, joining the likes of Mr Vine, Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark and Nicky Campbell.
The lurid speculation was sparked by a report in The Sun newspaper alleging a BBC presenter, who has not been named but is described as being well-known, allegedly began paying the teenager when they were 17, and sent them the money which they used to fund an addiction to crack cocaine.
The broadcaster confirmed today that it had suspended a male member of staff, but did not reveal the identity of the employee. It is also understood that the BBC has been in contact with police.
Jeremy Vine (pictured last month) has threatened legal action against a slew of Twitter trolls after they falsely accused him of being the BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager £35,000 for sexually explicit images
Mr Vine has responded to several users who allegedly penned defamatory tweets about him – many of which have since been deleted from the platform.
It appears the push to pursue legal action came in response to a now-deleted post purportedly written by Andy Plumb.
The radio show host advised Mr Plumb that he had ‘passed screenshots of your messages about me to a lawyer’. He added that the messages were ‘seriously defamatory’ and ‘completely and utterly untrue’.
The social media user reportedly replied to Mr Vine: ‘I really look forward to the solicitor’s letter, where are they gonna send it?’
It appears the push to pursue legal action came in response to a now-deleted post
Mr Vine advised Mr Plumb that he had ‘passed screenshots of your messages about me to a lawyer’. He added that the messages were ‘seriously defamatory’ and ‘completely and utterly untrue’
The social media user reportedly replied to Mr Vine: ‘I really look forward to the solicitor’s letter, where are they gonna send it?’
Mr Plumb ultimately deleted the tweets and appears to have offered the justification that he will ‘send draft tweets’ while drinking and then delete them in the morning.
He described this practise as ‘perfectly normal behaviour displayed by thousands of Twitter users’.
But Mr Vine was not satisfied with that explanation, telling the user who has more than 16,000 followers: ‘It’s really not “perfectly normal behaviour,” Andy.
‘You have a lot of followers who will have read and spread your damaging lies. I let loads of stuff go on here — but not this. I’ll be in touch soon.’
The radio show host also replied to several others users whom he presumably thinks have libelled him, warning that his lawyer would contact them soon.
It is unclear if Mr Vine, who is known to call people out online, will actually pursue legal action. MailOnline has approached him for comment.
The radio show host also replied to several others users whom he presumably thinks are guilty of libel, warning that his lawyer would contact them soon
A number of BBC stars publicly said they were not the presenter at the centre of the allegations, amid heavy speculation about the man’s identity on social media.
Mr Arthanayake today said: ‘I’m off air because of the tennis. Like I am every year. Back on air 17th July.’
Mr Lineker previously tweeted: ‘Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.’
Mr Clark wrote: ‘Not sure why my name’s floating about but re that story in the Sun – that ain’t me babe. I’m currently filming a show in Italy for the BBC, so take my name out ya mouths.’
Mr Vine said: ‘Just to say I’m very much looking forward to hosting my radio show on Monday – whoever the “BBC Presenter” in the news is, I have the same message for you as Rylan did earlier: it certainly ain’t me.’
Mr Campbell suggested he had contacted police about being falsely mentioned online in connection with the story.
He tweeted a screenshot which featured the Metropolitan Police logo and the words: ‘Thank you for contacting the Metropolitan Police Service to report your crime.’
‘I think it’s important to take a stand. There’s just too many of these people on social media. Thanks for your support friends,’ he wrote.
A number of BBC stars publicly said they were not the presenter at the centre of the allegations, amid heavy speculation about the man’s identity on social media
The BBC confirmed in a public statement today that it had suspended a male member of staff, but did not reveal the identity of the employee.
The Corporation said it was made aware of a complaint in May but that new allegations of a ‘different nature’ were brought to it on Thursday.
The broadcaster said it takes any allegations ‘seriously’, confirming it has been in touch with external authorities alongside conducting its own inquiries.
It is understand the BBC are talking to the police.
BBC director-general Tim Davie said he is ‘wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the internet about some of our presenting talent’.
In a note sent to staff, Mr Davie said the corporation takes ‘all such allegations incredibly seriously’.
In a statement made public today, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘The BBC first became aware of a complaint in May.
‘New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own inquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.
‘We can also confirm a male member of staff has been suspended.
‘We expect to be in a position to provide a further update in the coming days as the process continues. The BBC board will continue to be kept up to date.’
BBC has suspended the presenter accused of paying a teenager more than £35,000 for sexually explicit images, the broadcaster has confirmed (stock photo)
In a follow-up email sent to BBC staff, director-general Tim Davie (pictured) reiterated that the BBC is taking the allegations ‘incredibly seriously’. He added: ‘By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex’
HOW BBC PRESENTER ‘SEX PICS’ SCANDAL CAME TO LIGHT
2020: The BBC presenter allegedly began requesting sexually explicit photographs from the teenager.
May 19: Alleged victim’s family complained to the BBC, asking for the presenter to be told to stop sending their child money.
June: The accused host allegedly attended a party alongside BBC senior executives.
July 7: The BBC star was said to have been taken off air – but has not been suspended.
The alleged victim’s family details the accusations in a newspaper interview, claiming the presenter paid for the explicit photographs for three years.
The alleged victim’s mother also claimed the teenager used the cash to fund their spiralling drug habit.
July 8: It is revealed the presenter could face a police probe over potential crimes which carry a maximum 14-year prison sentence
Several major BBC stars – including Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine and Gary Lineker – confirm they are not the man behind the scandal.
July 9: Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer holds ‘urgent talks’ with BBC boss Tim Davie.
BBC suspends the male staff member whom allegations were made against.
Director-general Tim Davie sends an internal email to staff reiterating that the BBC is taking the allegations ‘incredibly seriously’.
It is understood that the BBC has been in contact with police.
The statement added that the corporation takes ‘any allegations seriously’ and that it has ‘robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations’.
‘This is a complex and fast-moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts in order to properly inform appropriate next steps’, the BBC added.
‘It is important that these matters are handled fairly and with care.
‘We have been clear that if – at any point – new information comes to light or is provided to us, this will be acted upon appropriately and actively followed up.’
The allegations reported by The Sun newspaper claimed the BBC star paid the person, said to have been 17 when the payments began, £35,000 in exchange for the images.
The teenager’s mother told The Sun she saw a picture of the presenter on her child’s phone ‘sitting on a sofa in his house in his underwear’.
The mother said she was told it was ‘a picture from some kind of video call’ and looked like he was ‘getting ready for my child to perform for him’.
The family were said to have complained to the BBC on May 19 but allegedly became frustrated that the star remained on air.
Mr Davie’s note to staff on Sunday said: ‘The BBC became aware of a complaint in May; the BBC investigations team have been looking into this since it was raised and have been actively following up.
‘New allegations, of a different nature, were put to us on Thursday, and in addition to our own enquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols.
‘I can also confirm that we have suspended a member of staff.’
He added: ‘By law, individuals are entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy, which is making this situation more complex. 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.
‘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.’
Earlier today, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said Mr Davie assured her the corporation is ‘investigating swiftly and sensitively’ into the allegations.
Source: Read Full Article