What exactly is parliamentary privilege and could an MP or peer name the BBC presenter at centre of scandal?

Although the BBC presenter who reportedly paid a young person for explicit photographs is currently anonymous, is it possible an MP or peer could name them?
Marina Licht
By Marina Licht
11th Jul 2023, 11:12am

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: A general view of the front of BBC Broadcasting House on July 10, 2023 in London, England. Last week, the Sun newspaper published allegations that a BBC presenter had paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager in exchange for explicit photos. The broadcaster has said that a male presenter has been suspended while it conducts an investigation. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: A general view of the front of BBC Broadcasting House on July 10, 2023 in London, England. Last week, the Sun newspaper published allegations that a BBC presenter had paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager in exchange for explicit photos. The broadcaster has said that a male presenter has been suspended while it conducts an investigation. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: A general view of the front of BBC Broadcasting House on July 10, 2023 in London, England. Last week, the Sun newspaper published allegations that a BBC presenter had paid tens of thousands of pounds to a teenager in exchange for explicit photos. The broadcaster has said that a male presenter has been suspended while it conducts an investigation. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Despite the BBC presenter involved in the pay-for-images allegations currently remaining anonymous, there is the possibility that thanks to parliamentary privilege, an MP or peer might name them. So, what exactly is parliamentary privilege?

According to the UK Parliament website, “In order to carry out their duties Parliament, its members and others who participate in or support the work of Parliament need certain rights and immunities. These are known as parliamentary privilege. It goes on to say that “Members need to be able to speak freely in the House and in committee, uninhibited by possible defamation claims.”

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Sky News reported that parliamentary privilege “has been used to expose corruption or criminal activity, but more recently-and controversially- to shame rich and famous people protected by the courts”

Sky News cites an example that “back in 2011 Ryan Giggs was named as the ‘married footballer’ with an injunction, after tabloid reports that he had an affair with a reality star.” Ryan Giggs was named by former Lib Dem MP John Hemming.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has cautioned MPs against using parliamentary privilege to name the BBC presenter and told Sky News Kay Burley that "MPS should wait to "see where all of this lands" before the presenter is named and that "privilege...should be used sparingly."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has spoken to journalists while en route to the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania and has said: “They were shocking, concerning allegations, of course they were.”

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Rishi Sunak then went on to discuss that his priority with regard to social media was to concentrate on protecting children by driving through the online safety bill. He said that “The laws we have should be enforced, but when it comes to how social media has come about, there is clearly an impact on children and that is why we need to make sure that online environment is safe for our children…. As a dad of two young girls, I think that is the right focus for government."

As the BBC is about to publish its annual reports in a pre-planned event, BBC boss Tim Davie is set to face reporters imminently. 

Related topics:Ryan GiggsRishi SunakTim DavieBBC

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