Stephen Nolan BBC boss refuses to comment on claims host sent ‘sexually explicit’ Stephen Bear photos to staff
THE BOSS of BBC NI said he will not comment on claims top presenter Stephen Nolan sent images that featured a reality star’s privates to some staff.
In a statement Adam Smyth said “considerations of fairness and confidentiality” around a complaint made over the pix meant nothing could be said.
His statement came after a news report on Tuesday claimed Mr Nolan sent two images of 2016 Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear to some colleagues.
They were reportedly sent as part of discussions around a successful bid to secure the now-convicted sex offender as a guest on his Nolan Live television show.
However a complaint by one individual was made to management about the sending of these “sexually explicit images”.
After an investigation in 2018 led to what the broadcaster called “a case to answer” for Mr Nolan, it is reported that the BBC internally took what it termed “appropriate action”.
In a statement to the Irish Sun, Mr Smyth, Director of BBC NI, said: “There are important considerations of fairness and confidentiality involved in the handling of any workplace-related complaint.
“We take these obligations seriously - and in the interests of everyone involved. It is for these reasons that we cannot comment on the specifics of any individual case, who/what it may have involved or its outcome.”
It is claimed both images, sent in a group text, featured Mr Bear’s privates.
It is alleged Mr Nolan, 49, host of Radio Ulster’s top-rated Stephen Nolan Show and a Five Live presenter, wrote “I want Bear!” in one of the messages sent to staff.
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Referencing the complaint against Mr Nolan, DUP MP Gregory Campbell said: “The public has a right to know whether this incident was treated with the level of seriousness it deserved by the BBC.”
Mr Nolan has been approached for comment.
Separately, Mr Bear, 33, was last week ordered to pay more than €230,000 in compensation to his ex Georgia Harrison over sharing explicit images of her without consent.
The reality star, 33, was jailed for 21 months in March after sharing a secret sex tape on OnlyFans.
The sum is the highest ever awarded in an image abuse, or 'revenge porn' case.
But Love Island star Georgia told how she fears her jailed ex will get away with not paying up.
'MIXED EMOTIONS'
She told Rachel Johnson's Difficult Women podcast: "I have mixed emotions right now.
"I have a lot of people who are really excited about the reward.
"It's the biggest reward of image-based sex abuse in Britain, however, there's a few things going on behind closed doors.
"It means potentially it's going to be hard for me to see any of that money.
"At the moment although I should be celebrating and other people are celebrating for me, I'm not so hopeful about getting my hands on any of it.
"It is a moral victory. It also sets a precedent for anyone considering committing this sort of a crime. Not only will you face criminal charges, you could well lose a large sum of money.
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"He didn't even try to act remorseful or try to act like a good person. He did a very bad thing, on a very obvious way on a verified account and did nothing to cover his tracks or apologise for what he'd done.
"I could never quite figure out what he was thinking."
