Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has admitted to accessing indecent images of children, sparking widespread outrage and raising concerns about the broadcaster's handling of internal investigations.
The 62-year-old, who resigned from the BBC in April, pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent photographs of children. The charges stemmed from his receipt of 41 illegal images from convicted paedophile Alex Williams.
The revelation of Edwards' guilty plea comes after a tumultuous period for the BBC, marked by allegations of inappropriate behaviour and concerns about the corporation's response to whistleblowing.
Edwards' salary, which was between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023/24, has also been subject to scrutiny following his conviction. The BBC confirmed that they were aware of Edwards' arrest on "suspicion of serious offences" back in November.
The BBC's handling of internal investigations has come under fire, with two former employees revealing they had reported "inappropriate messages" from Edwards in the past.
One former employee, who had alleged that Edwards was "pushy" about meeting up and had invited them to a hotel room paid for by the BBC during the coverage of Prince Philip's funeral, expressed disappointment at the lack of transparency surrounding the investigation.
"I certainly don't feel like I've heard anything of substance about how the investigation went," the former employee said. "In a way that's disappointing because it was quite a stressful thing to go through. It was all a big ordeal."
The BBC has previously published a report looking into their complaints process, following allegations that Edwards had paid a young person for sexually explicit photos. The report highlighted failures in the process and promised improvements.
However, the mother of the young person, who received an apology from the BBC, expressed frustration with the handling of the situation and the lack of accountability. She accused the corporation of trying to brush aside the allegations and of putting Edwards' reputation above the well-being of victims.
"It felt like we were just the little men, so could be easily brushed aside," she said. "They all said we had destroyed Huw's life and seemed to think we just wanted money."
The BBC has defended its actions, stating that it would have sacked Edwards if he had been charged while still an employee. However, they acknowledge that the situation has raised significant concerns about the BBC's internal culture and its response to allegations of misconduct.
The news of Edwards' conviction has sent shockwaves through the broadcasting world and beyond. It has reignited the debate about the culture within the BBC and the effectiveness of their internal investigations.
The BBC has been contacted for comment on the ongoing situation.
