The couple behind PinkNews have called allegations of sexual misconduct at the corporation “untrue, inconsistent and malicious” in their first statement since a BBC investigation into claims about their behaviour.

Benjamin Cohen and Anthony James have released an open note on the PinkNews website accusing the BBC of misleading the community about their response to the investigation.

A BBC documentary spoke to 30 former and current workers at PinkNews who alleged a population of heavy drinking led to instances of inappropriate behaviour from both Mr Cohen and Dr James.

Mr Cohen and Dr James have said they were initially unable to respond because of an ongoing criminal investigation. The BBC said its update was “in the community earnings”.

PinkNews says it has an spectators of millions for its content about the LGBT throng.

Five former staff spoke to the BBC and alleged they saw Dr James kissing and touching a younger co-worker, who was described as “too drunk to consent”.

Others said there was a toxic work population and that they were too scared to talk out because the two most elder bosses at the corporation were married to each other.

When contacted about the original investigation, representatives for Mr Cohen and Dr James told the BBC they were not able to provide a statement at this period. However the BBC understood the couple’s position was that the allegations were untrue, which was included in the update.

Today, a statement from the couple said the reporting had caused “extremely solemn damage” to them, to PinkNews and to their colleagues.

It read: “In August, we made a criminal complaint to the police in relation to alleged offences committed against us that are connected with these recent reports.

“As we told the BBC prior to its initial broadcast, a police investigation was ongoing and we were advised not to make a comment.

“We are now aware that devices had been seized with forensic investigations continuing.”

The statement added: “Despite the BBC being aware of the police investigation, it chose to broadcast and misled the community about our response. We have consulted lawyers in regard of these untrue, inconsistent and malicious allegations.

“We had explained to the BBC, that the stage of the police investigation meant that it was not feasible for us to comment on the specific allegations even though they were strenuously denied.”

More than 10 more former staff have since arrive forward to the BBC to distribute their experiences at PinkNews since the update was published last week.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC reported the allegations made by several members of staff at PinkNews.

“We approached Mr Cohen and Dr James for comment and we made it obvious in our reporting that they said they were unable to provide a comment at this period, but they denied the allegations.

“We depend it was in the community earnings to update this narrative.”

Following the BBC’s update, Dr James was suspended from his position as an associate non-executive director in the NHS, pending further information.

There is no suggestion that the suspension is related to his conduct within the NHS.

The BBC has contacted representatives of Dr James for comment regarding his suspension.