Senior BBC executive suspended amid probe into explicit image posted on his Instagram page

By ALEX DOYLE - SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 23:11, 4 July 2026 | Updated: 23:11, 4 July 2026 A senior BBC executive has been suspended after an explicit image of male anatomy appeared on his Instagram page, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Kamlesh Purohit, who oversees the corporation's Asian and black programming strategy, claimed his account had been 'hacked' after the lewd picture was posted last Friday. The image, which showed a man's genitals exposed with his face covered by a black bar, was seen by horrified colleagues before Purohit deleted it 20 minutes later. The BBC launched a formal investigation after complaints were made to senior management, with colleagues told not to expect Purohit in work the next week. A well-placed source said: 'Kamlesh has the BBC name on his social media accounts and there are strict guidelines about employees' social media usage. 'They are constantly told they must not bring the corporation into disrepute. While the image was up for a brief amount of time, it shocked and disgusted his colleagues, particularly women, and they formally alerted and complained to senior personnel. 'It is being taken extremely seriously and an investigation at a senior level has been launched. He has been told not to come to work.' The BBC states that breaches of its social media policy could result in termination of employment. Kamlesh Purohit, a senior BBC executive, has been suspended after an explicit image of male anatomy appeared on his Instagram page It is not the first time that Purohit has found himself in trouble over his online activity. In 2019, he raised eyebrows when he posted on Twitter, now X, that 'virginity is like a balloon, one prick and it's gone'. He was reprimanded by bosses and told his social media activity could bring the corporation into disrepute. Purohit, who moved to the UK from Kenya, graduated with a degree in electronic engineering before joining the BBC in 1986. He later became Head of Sport at the BBC Asian Network, presented shows on BBC Radio Leicester, and eventually rose to become the station's editor. In 2022 he was tasked with overseeing the BBC's Community project, a role that involves interacting with children and family groups. He wrote on social media at the time of his appointment: 'I've been asked to devise a strategy for BBC Local Radio's community content, reshaping Asian and black programmes as part of the BBC's Digital First strategy. 'After two years managing BBC Radio Leicester, I will be leaving to carry out this important work with immediate effect.' The source added: 'His new role is a backwater that bosses give employees when they don't know what else to do with them. Most people in the organisation are aware of this.' A BBC spokesman said: 'While we do not comment on individual matters, if anyone raises a complaint or concern with us, it will be treated with the utmost seriousness and we have robust processes in place to manage this.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.