Speculation rife after BBC presenter suspended over claims he paid teen for explicit pictures

A host of presenters at the BBC have come forward to deny being the star accused of paying a 17-year-old child tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photographs. 

The British broadcaster has launched an investigation after The Sun newspaper published testimony from the child's mother. It has also contacted the police. 

According to the newspaper, the family contacted the BBC in May to report the situation, but the presenter remained on air for several more weeks.

The Sun has not named the presenter, fuelling speculation over the weekend on social media as to who it is. 

Legal experts have warned those making accusations online without proof that they could be sued by anyone they name for damage to reputation caused by their comments. 

They could also fall foul of rules protecting an individual's right to privacy.

"It was a distressing weekend, I can't deny it, for me and others falsely named. Today I'm having conversations with the police in terms of malicious communication and with lawyers in terms of defamation," BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell said on his show on Monday. 

He is one of many stars on the BBC to make their position clear. 

At the weekend, shortly after an emergency phone call between Culture Minister Lucy Frazer and BBC director general Tim Davie, the BBC said in a statement that "a male member of its workforce has been suspended" and that the corporation was "working to establish the facts as quickly as possible".

"This is a complex and rapidly evolving set of circumstances" and "it is important that these matters are dealt with fairly and carefully", it added.

"We have also contacted external authorities in accordance with our protocols," the BBC said.

On Monday, London's police force, the