UK Minister Mel Stride cautions MPs against naming BBC’s suspended presenter

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Mel Stride has urged the MPs not to name the BBC presenter who has been accused of paying money to a teenager for his sexually explicit pictures. Cautioning against parliamentary privilege, he told SKY TV that the facts have changed recently, and the MPs should use the privilege sparingly. The parliamentary privileges include the right to speak in the house freely without coming under the law related to slander.

BBC suspended the host of a popular television show after he was charged with securing sexually explicit pictures of a 20-year-old man who was under 17 at that time. He allegedly paid GBP 35,000 for those pictures. The mother of the child in question has accused the presenter of destroying her son’s life.

The woman also said that her son used the money for buying crack cocaine. BBC presenters want the name of the accused to be made public so that people don’t hold them responsible. Some MPs also want to name the accused presenter.

Some BBC presenters have come forward claiming that they have not been suspended. BBC Director General Tim Davis is facing severe criticism. He is most likely to meet the press and explain the broadcaster’s position.London Metropolitan Police has said that it has received a complaint, but it is yet to launch an investigation as it wants more details to proceed further.

A virtual meeting took place between the police officers and the representatives of the broadcaster. Adding the most dramatic twist to the entire episode, the young man in question has said that nothing inappropriate or unlawful happened. He also said that the allegations are baseless.