Huw Edwards asked to return BBC salary following indecent images charges
Huw Edwards has been asked by the BBC to return his salary from the time he was arrested in November last year.
They have stated that Edwards 'undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute'.
“There is nothing more important than the public’s trust in the BBC; the BBC Board is the custodian of that trust.
“The Board has met a number of times over the last week to review information provided by the Executive relating to Huw Edwards. The Board’s focus has been principally around two issues.
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“Firstly, what was known in the lead up to Mr Edwards being charged and pleading guilty last Wednesday to making indecent images of children; and, secondly, the specifics of the BBC’s handling of the complaints and the BBC’s own investigations into Mr Edwards, prior to his resignation on 22 April 2024”.
The statement went on to say: “Today, the Board has authorised the Executive to seek the return of salary paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November last year. Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime. Had he been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money. He has clearly undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.”
It also announced that the Board has commissioned an independent review that will “make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC Values”.
Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children on 31 July.
At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, he admitted to accessing indecent photographs of children as young as seven after a man he met online sent him hundreds of sexual images on WhatsApp.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster said at the time: “The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today.
“There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“The police have confirmed that the charges are not connected to the original complaint raised with the BBC in the summer of 2023, nevertheless in the interests of transparency we think it important to set out some points about events of the last year.
“In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation. At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health.
“Today we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court. If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.
“During this period, in the usual way, the BBC has kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions. "We want to reiterate our shock at Mr Edwards’ actions and our thoughts remain with all those affected.”
More to follow.
Kya Buller