Huw Edwards – latest: BBC bosses warn staff against ‘damaging’ gossip about suspended presenter

BBC bosses told staff in an email that “gossip will not be tolerated” amid speculation over the Huw Edwards scandal, it has been reported.

Staff at the BBC were warned that speculating about what had happened would damage the corporation.

“The purpose of the email was very clearly to contain the situation and stop BBC staff fuelling the fire that had been blazing since the story broke,” a source told the Mirror.

Earlier, friends and peers of Huw Edwards have rallied behind the BBC presenter as a poll shows viewers want him back on air after a sex pictures scandal.

Former BBC journalists Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel, who now work at Global, were among those to have criticised the corporation’s coverage of the affair.

On their Newsagents podcast, Ms Maitlis described the BBC’s coverage as a “bit distasteful” while Mr Sopel said there was a “weirdness” about it.

Key Points

• BBC bosses warn staff against ‘damaging’ gossip

• 52 per cent want Edwards back on air - poll

• Former BBC journalists blast corporation’s reporting as ‘disgrace’

• Ex-News of the World editor advising presenter’s family

• Huw Edwards faces fresh claims as BBC resumes probe

• Presenter’s wife’s statement in full

• Newsreader who broke Queen’s death to nation now at centre of sex scandal

BBC bosses issue staff with warning about gossiping over Huw Edwards

Sunday 16 July 2023 07:31 , Matt Mathers

BBC bosses told staff in an email that “gossip will not be tolerated” amid speculation over the Huw Edwards scandal, it has been reported.

Staff at the BBC were warned that speculating about what had happened would damage the corporation.

“The purpose of the email was very clearly to contain the situation and stop BBC staff fuelling the fire that had been blazing since the story broke,” a source told the Mirror.

Rita Ora’s awkward moment amid Huw Edwards saga

Sunday 16 July 2023 22:50 , Holly Hales

Pop star Rita Ora has accidentally called another BBC Breakfast presenter Huw Edwards in an on-air blunder.

The star appeared to refer to Charlie Stayt as the embattled news presenter in the exchange as she promoted new music on Saturday.

Instead of saying “thank you”, Ora instead seemed to say “thanks Huw”.

“You’re here doing publicity, this is the world you live in and at the same time you clearly guard your privacy,” Stayt said.

Ora then replied: “Yeah, thanks Huw,” before she realised what she said and added: “Thanks Huw? Thank you, for noticing that.”

The pair attempted to move on from the conversation but not before viewers shared it on Twitter.

“Soooo Rita Ora says thanks to Charlie by saying ‘thanks Huw’ hilarious @BBCBreakfast,” one wrote.

“Not Rita Ora saying ‘thanks Huw’ on BBC Breakfast FFS,” with a third adding: “Who keeps rewinding the Rita Ora interview? @BBCBreakfast,” another said.

Shop in Wales announces it will stop selling The Sun

Sunday 16 July 2023 16:58 , Andy Gregory

A local shop in Wales has announced on Facebook that it will stop selling The Sun following its coverage of allegations against Huw Edwards.

Siop Dewi, situated on Penrhyndeudraeth High Street, wrote on Facebook earlier this week: “Thank you very much to everyone who has supported us with our decision to sell the Sun. We are thinking of Huw Edwards and everyone else who suffers from mental illness.

“Hope we will listen more, and be kinder to each other. We support each other, and welcome you all here.”

Huw Edwards’ wife’s statement ‘a dash of cold water to the face of journalists’, says ex-News at Ten editor

Sunday 16 July 2023 15:49 , Andy Gregory

The statement from Huw Edwards’ wife “acted like a dash of cold water to the face of all journalists”, a former News at Ten editor has said.

Sir Craig Oliver told the Today show earlier this week that the corporation’s journalists had mostly done a good job, but “in the desire to make sure that they look like they’re covering this in a fair and impartial way, they perhaps have gone too far”.

His remarks were repeated today in a new BBC report which noted that the broadcaster’s decision to air fresh claims of inappropriate messages from BBC colleagues – on the day of Edwards’ wife’s statement – has been criticised, with The Sun having pledged not to publish any further allegations.

Sir Oliver was quoted as saying: “I think both the BBC and The Sun are now looking at themselves and asking themselves questions about: is it possible in a frenzied environment where there are so many different elements coming together and it’s making people’s heads spin ... can you, in that environment, have a duty of care to the person involved? And can you allow due process to take place?”

In Focus | The Huw Edwards saga has no winners, us included

Sunday 16 July 2023 13:53 , Andy Gregory

In this week’s In Focus piece, The Independent’s columnist and former editor Chris Blackhurst writes:

Somewhere in a psychiatric hospital, the man who delivered the report to the world that Queen Elizabeth II was dead, and who went on to lead the BBC’s coverage of her funeral, is receiving treatment.

When he comes out, Huw Edwards will find, if he does not know already, that his reputation is shot. Gone is the image of integrity and dignity, the face and voice that could be trusted above all other, the main anchor of BBC TV News.

He may be able to launch a legal action. But even if he can, to what end? The damage is done. His illustrious career must be over.

An affair that, let’s face it, kept many of us entertained, has ended sadly and badly. Not one single person in the saga emerges well. There are no winners – everyone is a loser.

You can read his analysis in full, with Independent Premium:

The Huw Edwards saga has no winners, us included | Chris Blackhurst

Man retracts ‘baseless’ claim against Jeremy Vine

Sunday 16 July 2023 12:39 , Andy Gregory

A man accused Jeremy Vine of being the BBC presenter at the centre of The Sun’s allegations before Huw Edwards was named has apologised for making his “baseless” claim and agreed to donate £1,000 to the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the BBC presenter has said.

All the allegations made against Huw Edwards

Sunday 16 July 2023 11:41 , Andy Gregory

Suspended BBC presenter Huw Edwards is facing several allegations against him after being accused last week of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos.

My colleagues Maroosha Muzaffar, Holly Evans and Tara Cobham outline those here:

Huw Edwards scandal: All the allegations made against BBC presenter

Huw Edwards ‘wasn’t really managed’ at BBC, presenter claims

Sunday 16 July 2023 10:47 , Andy Gregory

There is a feeling at the BBC that Huw Edwards “wasn’t really managed” and did not deal with “lesser people” but would instead wander into director-general Tim Davie’s office at will, colleagues have told The Sunday Times.

“There’s a feeling that Huw wasn’t really managed. You can’t blame managers for things you do as a senior and well-paid broadcaster,” a senior BBC presenter told the paper.

“You do get treated with a weirdly exaggerated sense of grandeur, you get people who are just enthralled by the idea of meeting you. Huw will never have gone anywhere without people falling over him. What you need is careful management that keeps an eye on that.”

BBC should ‘stand up for itself more’, says Tony Blair

Sunday 16 July 2023 09:36 , Andy Gregory

The BBC should “stand up for itself more” amid the furore following allegations made against Huw Edwards, Sir Tony Blair has suggested as the corporation’s leadership faces questions in parliament.

The former prime minister expressed his support for the “important British institution” in an interview with Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme.

“I think, you know, frankly, BBC should stand up for itself a bit more, to be blunt about it,” he said.

“And also, by the way, abroad the BBC is still regarded as an important British institution, and given our need to make sure we keep as much of a position of power in the world as we can, so whatever my disagreements from time to time, I still basically support it.”

BBC should ‘stand up for itself more,’ Blair says amid Huw Edwards furore

Huw Edwards has ‘special relationship of trust with the public’, says ex-BBC news chief

Sunday 16 July 2023 08:39 , Andy Gregory

Huw Edwards “has a special relationship of trust with the public”, a former senior BBC news chief has said, adding that the BBC “must work out if it has been brought into disrepute”.

Speaking to The Observer, the individual said: “The idea a big public figure has a double life is going to excite huge interest, but we don’t know the facts yet.

“The BBC must work out if it has been brought into disrepute. The claims could certainly be construed as very undermining of Edwards’ role as the face of the BBC’s coverage of state occasions. He has a special relationship of trust with the public.”

ICYMI: Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’ as broadcaster resumes investigation

Sunday 16 July 2023 07:59 , Matt Mathers

Suspended BBC star Huw Edwards is facing fresh claims he sent BBC colleagues “inappropriate messages” as the broadcaster resumed its investigation into the presenter at the centre of the sex photo scandal.

The new claims - which followed the naming of the presenter by his wife on Wednesday night - come from two current and a former BBC worker, who said they had received “inappropriate” messages from Mr Edwards on social media, according to BBC Newsnight.

The former employee said they had never met the presenter but received messages from him on social media, “some late at night and signed off with kisses”, which they said they believed was an “abuse of power”.

Tara Cobham reports:

Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’

ICYMI: BBC boss faces grilling in parliament over Huw Edwards claims

Saturday 15 July 2023 18:00 , Matt Mathers

BBC director general Tim Davie will be questioned in parliament about the corporation’s leadership, after mental-health charities called for Huw Edwards to be given support and treatment.

The corporation is facing questions over why it did not take allegations against its most highly paid news presenter more seriously sooner.

Some BBC News journalists had reportedly started work on a potential exposé about the newsreader before The Sun reported claims about him allegedly paying a teenager for explicit images.

Jane Dalton reports:

BBC boss faces grilling in parliament over Huw Edwards claims

ICYMI: Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’ as broadcaster resumes investigation

Saturday 15 July 2023 17:00 , Matt Mathers

Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’ as broadcaster resumes investigation

Suspended BBC star Huw Edwards is facing fresh claims he sent BBC colleagues "inappropriate messages" as the broadcaster resumed its investigation into the presenter at the centre of the sex photo scandal.

The new claims - which followed the naming of the presenter by his wife on Wednesday night - come from two current and a former BBC worker, who said they had received “inappropriate” messages from Mr Edwards on social media, according to BBC Newsnight.

Tara Cobham reports:

Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’

BBC’s Dead Ringers lampoons Huw Edwards scandal

Saturday 15 July 2023 14:49 , Matt Mathers

Impressionists on the latest episode of BBC Radio 4’s comedy show Dead Ringers have roasted The Sun and the Tories in a skit about the Huw Edwards scandal.

The Friday 14 July episode of Dead Ringers, which starred Jon Culshaw, Jan Ravens, Lewis MacLeod, Jess Robinson and Duncan Wisbey, opened with a mock-bulletin announcing: “After an extremely difficult and traumatic week, The Sun newspaper has gone into hiding. It has checked itself into an undisclosed location.

Ellie Harrison reports:

BBC’s Dead Ringers lampoons Huw Edwards scandal

Poll shows support for Huw Edwards

Saturday 15 July 2023 14:20 , Matt Mathers

More than half of respondents to a poll said they wanted to see Huw Edwards back on air after a police investigation into his sex pictures scandal found no offence had been committed.

52 per cent of Daily Mirror readers said they wished to see the BBC newsreader back at work.

It came after fellow journalists voiced support for the BBC presenter, with former colleagues Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel among those criticising the corporation’s coverage of the story.

Hiss and tell: Was Rupert Murdoch’s hatred of the BBC behind The Sun’s Huw Edwards exposé?

Saturday 15 July 2023 11:56 , Matt Mathers

The TV presenter may have been reckless and the BBC’s handling of the allegations against him may be of public interest – but nothing is simple about this case, argues Alan Rusbridger, including the tabloid’s behaviour

Read Alan’s full piece here:

Was Rupert Murdoch’s BBC hate behind The Sun’s Huw Edwards exposé? | Alan Rusbridger

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind and what do we know about the presenter?

Saturday 15 July 2023 11:21 , Matt Mathers

Huw Edwards’s wife Vicky Flind named him as the BBC presenter at the centre of a sex scandal that rocked the broadcaster.

Ms Flind said her husband was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and was receiving treatment in hospital, where he would remain “for the foreseeable future”.

Who is Vicky Flind?

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind and what do we know about the presenter?

Union boss hits out at ‘disgraceful’ coverage of Huw Edwards scandal

Saturday 15 July 2023 10:45 , Matt Mathers

The media will “hound and chase everybody” if it suits their agenda, a union boss has said in the wake of the Huw Edwards scandal.

Mike Lynch, general secretary of the RMT union, called for more protection for the “individual” as he criticised coverage of the story, describing it as a “disgrace”.

“I think these things should be treated with caution and discretion – I don’t want to be involved in other people’s misery,” he told Politics Joe.

“Obviously I want young people, children and others protected in our society. But I’m not here to be a judge and jury on that situation.”

He added: “I think the press in this country is a disgrace. They will hound and chase everybody that they can if they think it suits their agenda.

“I just think everyone should calm down and let the responsible people deal with the issues under the procedures and the laws and the regulations that we’ve got.”

Ex-Sun editor says newspaper faces ‘crisis’ over BBC scandal as Huw Edwards ‘furious’ over coverage

Saturday 15 July 2023 10:12 , Matt Mathers

A former editor of The Sun has accused his former newspaper of “inflicting terror” on BBC presenter Huw Edwards.

Mr Edwards was identifed by his wife on Wednesday night as the presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images, first reported in The Sun last week.

After the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police both said on Wednesday no criminal offence has been committed, the newspaper said it “had no plans to publish further allegations” and argued it was now a matter of the BBC to investigate.

Jane Dalton and Laura Harding reports:

Ex-Sun editor says newspaper faces ‘crisis’ over Huw Edwards scandal

ICYMI: Dan Walker and Elizabeth Day among stars sharing compassion for presenter

Saturday 15 July 2023 09:22 , Matt Mathers

Dan Walker, David Baddiel and Elizabeth Day are among those who have shared their thoughts on the discussion surrounding Huw Edwards, after the BBC presenter was named as the person facing allegations over payments to a teenager for sexually explicit images.

After days of speculation over the presenter’s identity, on Wednesday (12 July), Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, said the newsreader is “suffering from serious mental health issues” and is now “receiving inpatient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future”.

Ellie Harrison reports:

Huw Edwards: All the reaction as stars share concern for presenter named in BBC row

Recap: BBC presenter scandal timeline as Huw Edwards revealed as suspended star

Saturday 15 July 2023 08:30 , Matt Mathers

It has been one week since the story about BBC presenter Huw Edwards broke.

Below we set out a timeline of how the story has developed since then.

Tara Cobham and Holly Evans report:

Huw Edwards: BBC presenter scandal timeline as wife names suspended star

BBC journalists ‘working on more potential stories’ about Huw Edwars

Saturday 15 July 2023 07:30 , Matt Mathers

BBC journalists are reportedly working on more stories about Huw Edwards despite opposition from his colleagues about a Newsnight investigation.

Some of Mr Edwards’s colleagues have criticised the “really aggressive” reporting against the news presenter.

But sources at the corporation have told The Guardian more stories could be on the way.

Huw Edwards: BBC presenter scandal timeline

Saturday 15 July 2023 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has revealed he is the presenter in the middle of the BBC scandal.

Vicky Flind said her husband was in hospital “suffering from serious mental health issues” after facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

The BBC is facing increased pressure after fresh claims emerged about the presenter, with The Sun reporting a 23-year-old has claimed Mr Edwards broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021.

May 19

The family of a young person, who was 17 when the presenter allegedly started payments back in 2020, complained to the BBC and became frustrated when the presenter stayed on air. They reportedly asked the broadcaster to stop the man “sending the cash”.

July 6

The BBC said it became aware of new allegations against the male presenter.

Tara Cobham and Holly Evans report.

Huw Edwards: BBC presenter scandal timeline as wife names suspended star

All the allegations made against BBC presenter

Saturday 15 July 2023 06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Suspended BBC presenter Huw Edwards is facing several allegations against him after being accused last week of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos.

The Sun first reported allegations against an unnamed presenter on Friday, claiming a top BBC star had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for explicit images.

The young person’s mother made the allegations in the Sun newspaper, which published her claim that payments helped fund her child’s crack cocaine habit.

The first allegations against Mr Edwards emerged in The Sun on Friday. The newspaper - which did not name the presenter in their story - alleged the presenter paid a young person around £35,000 for sexually explicit images. It also claimed the BBC star appeared in his underwear in a video call.

More details here.

Huw Edwards scandal: All the allegations made against BBC presenter

BBC boss faces grilling in parliament over Huw Edwards claims

Saturday 15 July 2023 06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

BBC director general Tim Davie will be questioned in parliament about the corporation’s leadership, after mental-health charities called for Huw Edwards to be given support and treatment.

The corporation is facing questions over why it did not take allegations against its most highly paid news presenter more seriously sooner.

Some BBC News journalists had reportedly started work on a potential exposé about the newsreader before The Sun reported claims about him allegedly paying a teenager for explicit images. Sources said Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire had been examining accusations about Mr Edwards’s conduct, the website Deadline claimed.

Mr Davie, acting chairperson Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner will appear before the Lords communications committee on Tuesday.

More here.

BBC boss faces grilling in parliament over Huw Edwards claims

BBC speaks to ‘Newsnight’ team amid staff concern over Huw Edwards probe

Saturday 15 July 2023 05:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The BBC has spoken to Newsnight journalists involved in investigating Huw Edwards after staff flagged concerns about being approached for information regarding the presenter’s conduct.

Newsnight was accused of “profiling” potential Edwards sources by going through the list of people he follows on Twitter and identifying BBC employees who may have had allegations to share, Deadline reported.

A handful of BBC staff members were contacted by Newsnight after the show claimed that Edwards allegedly sent “inappropriate” and “suggestive” messages to junior BBC employees. “It’s really distasteful,” said a BBC insider told the news outlet.

Presenter Victoria Derbyshire on an episode of Newsnight earlier this week reported that two current BBC employees allegedly received messages from Edwards as well as one former employee.

Viewers want Huw Edwards back on screen - Mirror poll

Saturday 15 July 2023 05:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least 53 per cent of viewers want Huw Edwards back on the BBC News at Ten if he is cleared by bosses of serious wrongdoing, a poll conducted by the Mirror has found.

Only 32 per cent of the people surveyed felt he should not be allowed to continue.

Among 45 to 64-year-olds, more than 60 per cent backed his return from suspension over the allegations.

A large number of Edwards’ colleagues also want him to be reinstated as the bulletin’s presenter, according to the Mirror.

Of those quizzed, 51 per cent said the BBC had handled the situation “quite badly” or “very badly”.

Only seven per cent said they had dealt with it “very well”.

Mick Lynch calls British press a ‘disgrace’

Saturday 15 July 2023 04:27 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Union boss Mick Lynch has called the British press a “disgrace” and called for more regulations in the wake of the BBC presenter scandal.

He said the rules should be tightened to “protect the individual” as he claimed the media will “hound and chase everybody that they can if they think it suits their agenda”.

The RMT general secretary told Politics Joe: “I think these things should be treated with caution and discretion, I don’t want to be involved in other people’s misery.

“Obviously I want young people, children and others protected in our society. But I’m not here to be a judge and jury on that situation. I think the press in this country is a disgrace.

“They will hound and chase everybody that they can if they think it suits their agenda. I just think everyone should calm down and let the responsible people deal with the issues under the procedures and the laws and the regulations that we’ve got.”

BBC presenter scandal timeline

Friday 14 July 2023 22:30 , Holly Evans

The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has revealed he is the presenter in the middle of the BBC scandal.

Vicky Flind said her husband was in hospital “suffering from serious mental health issues” after facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

Huw Edwards: BBC presenter scandal timeline as wife names suspended star

How was the story reported and what will be investigated now?

Friday 14 July 2023 21:30 , Holly Evans

Huw Edwards: How was the story reported and what will be investigated now?

Dan Walker and Elizabeth Day among stars sharing compassion for presenter

Friday 14 July 2023 20:30 , Holly Evans

Dan Walker, David Baddiel and Elizabeth Day are among those who have shared their thoughts on the discussion surrounding Huw Edwards, after the BBC presenter was named as the person facing allegations over payments to a teenager for sexually explicit images.

Huw Edwards: All the reaction as stars share concern for presenter named in BBC row

The Sun handled story with ‘discretion’, says former deputy editor

Friday 14 July 2023 19:30 , Holly Evans

The Sun told a story of “massive public interest” and handled it with “discretion, a former deputy editor of the paper has said.

Speaking to Sky News, Neil Wallis defended the tabloid’s coverage after many people took aim at its reporting over the Huw Edwards allegations.

“They broke a story of massive public interest. They handled it with, as far as I can see, discretion,” he said.

“They gave desperate parents an opportunity to stop what they saw as a terrible thing.”

Expert praises Huw Edwards’s wife for her statement

Friday 14 July 2023 18:30 , Holly Evans

A public relations and crisis consultant has said the wife of Huw Edwards should be “praised” following her naming the BBC presenter as the figure embroiled in an explicit photos scandal.

Vicky Flind spoke out saying Edwards was the BBC presenter on Wednesday following him facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

‘Huw Edwards’s wife deserves praise for naming him in BBC presenter scandal’

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind?

Friday 14 July 2023 17:20 , Holly Evans

In a shock announcement, Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter at the centre of a sex scandal that has rocked the nation’s broadcaster.

His wife Vicky Flind named him as the suspended TV star and said that her husband was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and was receiving treatment in hospital, where he would remain “for the foreseeable future”.

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind and what do we know about the presenter?

Ex-News of the World editor advising presenter’s family

Friday 14 July 2023 16:04 , Holly Evans

The former News of the World editor who was jailed on phone hacking charges is giving crisis management advice to the family of Huw Edwards over claims made in The Sun newspaper, the i has reported.

Andy Coulson, the former Downing Street communications chief to David Cameron, is understood to have assisted with the statement Mr Edwards’s wife Vicky Flind gave which named him as the TV star at the centre of the controversy.

Coulson served five months of an 18-month prison term imposed in 2014 after he was convicted of conspiring to intercept voicemails at the now-defunct Sunday tabloid following an Old Bailey trial.

It is not known whether Coulson has spoken directly to Edwards, who has separately engaged lawyers to handle the allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him.

Friday 14 July 2023 15:30 , Holly Evans

A former BBC journalist revealed that Huw Edwards had been feeling “very angry” about the allegations made in The Sun, prior to his hospitalisation.

Speaking to GMB hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard on Thursday, Jon Sopel told them: “We’ve had contact, obviously not since he has been hospitalised. He was very angry, I think he felt very let down by what had happened in The Sun, he was furious with their coverage. Not overly impressed with the BBC’s coverage either. Anyone that knows him is just wishing him well.

“He is incredibly funny, has got an acid wit. He can be a complicated person to deal with. If you’re entering Huw’s orbit he’s very defensive of his own territory.”

He added: “If it is there is no question of illegality, no question of sexual assault, things might change but as things stand now, there’s been no illegality, there’s been no abuse of power as far as I can see, so therefore I think what is it to do with anybody?”

Huw Edwards has well-documented history of mental health issues

Friday 14 July 2023 14:39 , Holly Evans

In 2022, Huw Edwards spoke out about how suffering from depression has affected his life and career, sharing that the condition has occasionally left him unable to leave his bed.

In the interview, the BBC News at Ten anchor openly discussed his 20-year long mental health struggles.

Huw Edwards says his depression has sometimes been so severe that he ‘couldn’t work’

Parents offered ‘tens of thousands’ for television interview, sources claim

Friday 14 July 2023 12:08 , Holly Evans

The parents of a young person at the centre of the Huw Edwards controversy have reportedly been offered tens of thousands of pounds for a television interview.

According to The Guardian, an interview with the couple has been recorded and is being edited for broadcast on TalkTV, the sister station of The Sun.

Sources said that Rupert Murdoch’s News UK had offered a signifcant sum for the interview, but no payment has yet been made, with the parents reportedly taking part in a planned three-part documentary series.

The parents have claimed that their 20-year-old child was taken advantage of by Mr Edwards, who allegedly paid the young person £35,000 in return for explicit images.

Mental health charity calls for Huw Edwards to be given ‘space to receive treatment’

Friday 14 July 2023 10:04 , Holly Evans

Mental health charity Mind has called for Huw Edwards to be given “space to receive treatment” while he experiences “serious mental health problems”.

The 61-year-old presenter is a patron of a branch of the charity in Llanelli.

“As is well documented, Huw has been treated for severe depression in recent years. He has been very eloquent in talking about his mental health issues,” said the director of Mind Cymru, Susan O’Leary.

“Given these very challenging circumstances, he has asked that he and his family’s privacy be respected.

“We would like to stress that it is important that anybody experiencing serious mental health problems is given the appropriate space to receive the treatment they need.”

Huw Edwards was in ‘high spirits’ at lunch before being told of shock allegations

Friday 14 July 2023 09:34 , Holly Evans

A friend of Huw Edwards has said he initially did not believe the claims about the BBC presenter because they were “against everything I know about the man”.

Andrew Billen, a feature writer for The Times, had lunch with Edwards last Thursday and said that the TV star was in “high spirits” during the meal.

Their meeting was arranged just hours before the newsreader was informed of the allegations against him.

Mr Billen told Sky News the 61-year-old was “certainly not a man with a tremendous dark cloud hanging over him”.

Discussing the allegations, he said: “Personally speaking I was incredibly shocked. It flew against everything I thought I knew about the man.

“I didn’t believe it partly because I didn’t want to believe it.”

‘This is a disgrace,’ says former BBC presenter

Friday 14 July 2023 08:52 , Holly Evans

Describing the situation as a “disgrace”, former BBC North America editor Jon Sopel criticised a BBC Radio Four bulletin that broke the news of Mr Edwards’ hospitalisation before revealing fresh allegations.

“My own personal view is that this is a disgrace, if Huw walked in this room I’d give him a hug. It’s the first thing I’d do,” he said. “And by the way, the young person affected who I’m also very concerned about.”

Emily Maitlis questions ‘distasteful’ BBC reporting

Friday 14 July 2023 08:40 , Holly Evans

In a discussion on their podcast The News Agents, former BBC presenters Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel questioned the broadcaster’s coverage of the allegations against Huw Edwards.

Describing it as “a bit distasteful”, Ms Maitlis questioned why BBC staff had not turned to HR if allegations had been made against him.

Mr Sopel added that sources within the BBC had informed him that there is “considerable disquiet” amongst staff, with many “distraught” at the coverage.

Hitting out at claims that Mr Edwards had sent flirtatious messages to staff, Ms Maitlis said: “Whilst you never want journalists to stop doing their job, you are in a weird place in that the way you raise a concern is not through a HR process, not through a complaints process but by breaking a story about them because they’re famous.”

All the allegations made against BBC presenter

Friday 14 July 2023 07:56 , Holly Evans

Suspended BBC presenter Huw Edwards is facing several allegations against him after being accused last week of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos.

Here are all the allegations made against the TV star:

Huw Edwards scandal: All the allegations made against BBC presenter

Cardiff University calls for Edwards’ privacy to be respected

Friday 14 July 2023 07:43 , Holly Evans

The vice-chancellor of Cardiff University has said all those involved should now be allowed the right to privacy.

Professor Colin Riordan said: “It is hard to imagine how distressing the events of the last few days must have been for Huw, his family and friends, those bringing the allegations and their families,” he says in a statement.

“All have been pitched into the eye of a media storm that will, unfortunately, have long-lasting effects.

“I hope that Huw receives the support and treatment he needs and that in due course all outstanding issues can be addressed.”

Mr Edwards is an honorary fellow and professor at the university.

The faithful wife: Vicky Flind

Friday 14 July 2023 06:00 , Jane Dalton

Huw Edwards’s wife, Vicky Flind, is a television producer who has worked on several shows such as ITV’s Peston.

Friends say she is “the kindest, most decent woman”:

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind and what do we know about the presenter?

BBC boss faces grilling in parliament

Friday 14 July 2023 05:15 , Jane Dalton

BBC director general Tim Davie will be questioned in parliament about the corporation’s leadership, after mental-health charities called for Huw Edwards to be given support and treatment:

BBC boss faces grilling in parliament over Huw Edwards claims

ICYMI: Family ‘begged BBC to make newsreader stop sending cash'

Friday 14 July 2023 04:20 , Jane Dalton

The family of the young person at the centre of the original allegations begged the BBC to make Mr Edwards “stop sending the cash,” according to The Sun.

As the newsreader was taken off air, other presenters denied being the person accused. A reminder:

Top BBC presenter ‘taken off air after paying teen £35,000 for explicit pictures’

Newsreader says King’s bluntness ‘refreshing’

Friday 14 July 2023 03:00 , Jane Dalton

Huw Edwards once described the King as “quite blunt with his views on things”.

The newsreader said he found it rather refreshing.

Of his marathon coverage of the Queen’s death, he said: “I ate a lot of bananas and I drank a lot of tea.”

Huw Edwards shares thoughts on King Charles: ‘He’s quite blunt with his views’

Timeline of a scandal

Friday 14 July 2023 01:50 , Jane Dalton

A reminder of what happened after the claims emerged:

Huw Edwards: BBC presenter scandal timeline as wife names suspended star

BBC journalists still investigating ‘to prove impartiality'

Friday 14 July 2023 00:40 , Jane Dalton

The claims against Huw Edwards are reportedly being treated like any other story, according to a BBC journalist involved in researching them.

The journalist suggested to The Guardian that BBC News was trying to prove its independence and impartiality from the corporate BBC by trying to drive the story forward.

Sources claim BBC journalists may have been making early inquiries into allegations of workplace impropriety against Mr Edwards without telling BBC News management they were investigating one of their own presenters.

The BBC is officially conducting “fact-finding investigations” into allegations against the veteran broadcaster.