Shortly after we published this comment piece, Huw Edwards was named as the mystery presenter. Obviously, this changes the perspective of the piece but not the sentiment and analysis.
In the name of God, tell us who you are! That is just the start; then tell, us honestly and clearly what you did or didn’t do.
For the sake of our sanity, own up now, so we can clear up this matter once and for all. Surely you want to clear the air over the allegations that you preyed upon young men and women, allegedly waving your hefty pay packet before their faces to get your jollies. If it’s not true, let’s hear it, and tell us why not!
You need to earn the confidence of the public.
I speak as a citizen, a journalist, and a BBC licence fee payer; in that order. I also speak in the name of transparency, journalism and justice.
Because, clearly, you have enjoyed the confidence of the public for years; now you need to do the right thing to justify that trust.
The BBC damaged.
This unpleasant story has already done our once revered BBC – that we both have served proudly – irreparable damage, with a story that sadly knocked the serious matters of the war in Ukraine off the top of the news bulletins.
The BBC – once, that paragon of fairness and integrity – has been under fire for years now and this can only make it worse. Like you, I’m sure, it was one of the proudest days of my life when I walked into the BBC; is this any way to repay the public broadcaster for years of well paid employment.
Your colleagues are hurting.
Your colleagues are taking collateral damage. The mild-mannered presenter Jeremy VIne – with whom I worked with fleetingly in Africa – has taken to the airwaves to urge you to own up and tell us who you are.I agree wholeheartedly.
Vine fears you feel it will be “game over” for you, if you come clean.
Quite rightly, Vine also feels that your fellow presenters are being tainted by your silence
“I think he believes there is a fightback to be had here,” Vine told the Daily Telegraph.
Vine hit the nail on the head. One of the more disturbing facts, lurking behind this case, is that whatever the truth, powerful people within the BBC seem to be ready to “circle the wagons” to protect you.
Will you slink away ?
In short; connive with your hiding and stalling in the hope of blurring the issue and deflecting criticism long enough for you to slink away. If that is what it is; it is a disgrace.
Yes, when I walked the corridors of Television Centre in White City, in London more than 30 years ago people whispered about Jimmy Savile; we heard more than we knew. “They don’t dare touch him,” our bosses used to say.
People in power protected Savile.
A few people saw with their own eyes what he was doing to our children; it was rarely brought up and no one in power at the BBC did anything for decades despite the trail of broken lives.
The reasons for this might sound familiar to you.
Gangsters, politicians and corruption.
Savile was a powerful man with money who felt he could do whatever he wanted and get away with it. The vile impunity that drives every corrupt politician, overbearing businessman and ruthless gangster that ever there was. Lastly, if there is a grain of truth in these growing allegations, what did you think you were doing with our sons and daughters ? They deserve care, respect, and protection, not exploitation. You are most probably a family man – how do you look at your own family in eye?
How many times have you read news of exploitation of vulnerable people and felt sick to your stomach, like the rest of us? Surely, you did, but then where do these allegations leave your morality ?
Have you come so far for so little ?
Add to that the struggle you went through to make it as a highly paid presenter. We all knew the years of put downs, pain and sacrifice – in the backwaters of journalism. Even then we needed a sprinkle of luck, for the mere chance of making it to the big time.
Have you come so far for so little?
So, in the name of God. Step forward, salve your conscience, take the consequences, and let us all get on with our lives. Catharsis,surely, is the only answer.
