Huw Edward's wife names him as BBC presenter accused of paying teen for explicit pictures

Sky News International News Jul - 12 - 2023 , 17:07

The BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager more than £35,000 for sexually explicit pictures has been named as Huw Edwards.

He was named by his wife Vicky Flind in a statement issued on his behalf.

At 6pm, the BBC said he had resigned at 6pm but then clarified he had not quit.

Edwards, 61, is one of the corporation's most high-profile newsreaders and is currently on a salary of just over £430,000.

He has presented the flagship BBC News at Ten programme more than a dozen times since the claims were allegedly reported to the corporation on May 19.

The Sun newspaper claimed a "household name" had been accused of giving a young person more than £35,000.

Edwards allegedly first requested images in 2020 when the young person was 17.

The presenter also faced allegations that he stripped to his underwear during a video call with the youth, who is now aged 20.

The young person's mother said she was "shocked" when her child showed her a screenshot of the presenter appearing to be "leaning forward, getting ready for my child to perform for him".

The BBC has suspended Edwards and said it "takes any allegations seriously" and has "robust internal processes in place to proactively deal with such allegations".

The young person's family approached The Sun after becoming frustrated that Edwards was still on air a month after they had complained.

'No criminal offence' in allegations against BBC presenter Huw Edwards, says Met Police

The Metropolitan Police says it spoke to an alleged complainant and the alleged complainant's family and determined that no criminal offence was committed. Detectives have told the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

Here is the full statement from the Met Police

"Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed.

"In reaching this decision, they have spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainant’s family, both via another police force. There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.

"We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual. No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

"Should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force."

'No information' a criminal offence has been committed - Met Police