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Watchdog host in air miles probe Watchdog host in air miles probe
(about 1 hour later)
Police are investigating "suspicious activity" on Virgin Atlantic loyalty point accounts, including one belonging to BBC presenter Julia Bradbury. BBC presenter Julia Bradbury has taken time off while police investigate "suspicious activity" on her Virgin Atlantic loyalty point account.
The Watchdog host said she had "done nothing wrong" but had requested leave until the matter had been resolved.
The airline said it had closed a number of its frequent flyer accounts and passed the matter to the police.The airline said it had closed a number of its frequent flyer accounts and passed the matter to the police.
Officers are looking at "suspicious activity relating to earning miles and tier points".Officers are looking at "suspicious activity relating to earning miles and tier points".
Ms Bradbury's sister and agent, Gina Fox, denied the Watchdog presenter was involved in any alleged wrongdoing.
Ms Bradbury has presented Watchdog since 2005 and has worked on a number of other BBC programmes including Countryfile and Accidental Heroes.Ms Bradbury has presented Watchdog since 2005 and has worked on a number of other BBC programmes including Countryfile and Accidental Heroes.
Her agent said the police had not been in touch with them. I have done nothing wrong and will of course willingly cooperate with any enquiries Julia Bradbury
A national newspaper has claimed air miles were added to her account on several occasions instead of being deducted.
The value of the flights was said to be at least £20,000.
In a statement Ms Bradbury said: "I am very concerned about these allegations.
"Although I have not been contacted by the police I understand that my Virgin Atlantic account details have been passed over to the authorities as part of an internal fraud investigation at the airline regarding frequent flyer miles.
"I understand that my name appears on a list that includes several Virgin passengers with discrepancies in their frequent flyer statements.
She added: "I have done nothing wrong and will of course willingly cooperate with any enquiries.
"I have asked the BBC to take time off from my presenting duties on Watchdog until the matter has been resolved."
The police investigations are believed to be centred on a Virgin Atlantic employee.The police investigations are believed to be centred on a Virgin Atlantic employee.
Julia hasn't booked a ticket. Either the production company has booked it or I have booked it for the past five years Gina Fox, Ms Bradbury's agent 'Suspicious activity'
A spokeswoman for the airline said: "Virgin Atlantic can confirm that it has closed a number of accounts belonging to some members of its frequent flyer programme, Flying Club, due to suspicious activity relating to earning miles and tier points.A spokeswoman for the airline said: "Virgin Atlantic can confirm that it has closed a number of accounts belonging to some members of its frequent flyer programme, Flying Club, due to suspicious activity relating to earning miles and tier points.
"We can confirm that information has been passed to the police for further investigation.""We can confirm that information has been passed to the police for further investigation."
Ms Fox said: "We haven't been contacted by the police. Gina Fox, Ms Bradbury's sister and agent, said both of their accounts had been suspended while the investigation was being carried out but they had been issued with new loyalty cards.
"She [Julia] hasn't booked a ticket. Either the production company has booked it or I have booked it for the past five years.
"Certainly I have not ordered or been part of anything that is fraudulent."
She added: "They had to suspend our accounts as they are being used as evidence for the investigation. In the interim, while the investigation is going on, we have been issued with new cards.
"Once the investigation is over they will be merged."
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Crawley Police have received information from Virgin Atlantic and detectives are investigating allegations relating to various Flying Club accounts.A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "Crawley Police have received information from Virgin Atlantic and detectives are investigating allegations relating to various Flying Club accounts.
"It is likely that enquiries will take a number of weeks.""It is likely that enquiries will take a number of weeks."