Rishi Sunak says misconduct claims against BBC host are ‘shocking’ and ‘concerning’

VILNIUS — Allegations that a BBC presenter accused of sexual misconduct was not immediately taken off air are “shocking” and “concerning,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, as he urged the publicly funded broadcaster to move “swiftly” in its investigation.

The BBC is facing intense scrutiny this week after the Sun reported allegations that a high-profile host — who has not been named — paid a vulnerable young person thousands of pounds in exchange for explicit images.

The prime minister stressed that he had not been told the identity of the BBC presenter, who has been suspended by the broadcaster while it carries out a probe into the claims.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday on a plane to Vilnius, Sunak said his culture secretary had been reassured by the BBC that its investigation will be “rigorous” and will be “swift.”

“I think that’s the right thing to do, because given the concerning nature of the allegations, it’s right that they are investigated swiftly and rigorously, and it’s important that we let that carry on,” Sunak said.

Asked if social media platforms should act more responsibly when it comes to such cases, given rampant online speculation about the identity of the host, Sunak said: “The laws we have should be enforced.”

Sunak’s comments come after his justice secretary, Alex Chalk, warned colleagues not to use parliamentary privilege — the right of MPs to speak freely in the House of Commons without being hit by slander laws — to name the accused host.

“Members of parliament do have a right to privilege and to be able to say things in the Commons without fear of legal repercussions,” Chalk told Sky News Tuesday. “But I think that is a privilege that should be used very sparingly and with great thought. I would want to see process continue here as quickly as possible.”