Radio presenter Jeremy Vine says he has reached an agreement with a Twitter user who falsely identified him as the BBC star facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Vine, who hosts an afternoon programme on Radio 2, was one of several BBC presenters who spoke out to deny their involvement, days before News At Ten anchor Huw Edwards was publicly named.
After days of speculation following The Sun’s initial story, the newsreader’s wife Vicky Flind named her husband on Wednesday and said he was in hospital suffering with “serious mental health issues” – as police confirmed there was no evidence of criminal offences.
Vine, who also presents his own Channel 5 TV show, had earlier called for the presenter to come forward publicly after being accused himself on social media.
On Sunday, Vine posted a message on Twitter saying he had come to an agreement with one user who had “libelled” him “by alleging that I was the BBC presenter at the heart of a story in The Sun”.
Vine continued: “He has now acknowledged that he was wrong, and has apologised. At my request, he has also agreed to pay £1,000 to [the Motor Neurone Disease Association] rather than paying damages.”
Before Edwards’ name was revealed publicly, Vine had tweeted: “These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his.
“And the BBC, which I’m sure he loves, is on its knees with this. But it is his decision and his alone.”
BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell appeared to reveal he had gone to the police after being wrongly named as the man online, posting a screenshot on Twitter which said: “Thank you for contacting the Metropolitan Police Service to report your crime.”
Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: “Hate to disappoint the haters but it’s not me.”
Meanwhile, TV and radio host Rylan Clark tweeted: “Not sure why my names floating about but re that story in the sun – that ain’t me babe.”
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The Metropolitan Police has said no criminal offence has been committed by Edwards and no further police action will be taken “at this time”, allowing an internal BBC investigation to resume.
The BBC is currently conducting “fact-finding investigations” into allegations against the veteran broadcaster.
Issues will be raised when director-general Tim Davie and other senior figures appear at a pre-arranged Lords Communications Committee session on Tuesday.
Edwards is the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader with a pay bracket of £435,000 to £439,999 – putting him fourth on the top 10 list, the corporation’s annual report revealed last week.
