Ministers advise MPs not to use parliamentary privilege to name BBC presenter

Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, has said he will not use parliamentary privilege to name the BBC presenter accused of paying £35,000 for sexually explicit images.

Jonathan Ashworth, who holds the role of shadow work and pensions secretary, has also confirmed he wouldn’t name the broadcaster in the House of Commons.

“Members of parliament do have a right to privilege and to be able to say things in the Commons without fear of legal repercussions, but that is a privilege that should be used very sparingly and with great thought,” Mr Stride told Sky News.

Mr Ashworth, meanwhile, added that it wouldn’t be helpful for politicians to “offer a running commentary” of the situation.