Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, has defended the organisation’s decisions regarding Huw Edwards, describing the process as “fair and judicious”.
The presenter, who hosted BBC News at Ten for 20 years until 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children on Wednesday (July 31), with sentencing due to follow on September 16.
Edwards was previously suspended by the corporation in July 2023 after media reports alleged that a BBC presenter had paid for sexually explicit photos of a young person, with his wife Vicky Flind later confirming that her husband was the presenter in question.
Edwards subsequently resigned from his position in April after 40 years with the corporation, with a BBC spokesperson confirming on Wednesday that the company was made aware in November that the presenter had been arrested and subsequently bailed.
Davie, who began as Director-General in September 2020, has now spoken about the latest allegations, saying the company opted to not make any knowledge of potential charges public at the request of the Metropolitan Police.
“We were very shocked. No-one knew about the specifics of what we heard over the last few days, which have been deeply disturbing,” he said (via BBC News). “We knew it was serious, we knew no specifics, apart from the category of the potential offences.
“When it comes to the decision we made in November, we were obviously faced with a difficult decision, and we considered it very carefully. [Any] difficult decisions [were made] in a fair and judicious manner.
“The police came to us and gave us information that they had arrested Mr Edwards. But they wanted to be assured of total confidence, and the reason they rung us at that point, it’s a technical process to ensure employees are protected and there’s no risk.
“Another factor at this point was very significant duty of care considerations. I think it was right for us to say we’d let the police do their business, and then when charges happen, we will act,” he continued, before “categorically” confirming that the company was “not sitting” on any evidence
Following the court hearing this week, a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said (via The Telegraph): “Accessing indecent images of underage people perpetuates the sexual exploitation of children, which has deep, long-lasting trauma on these victims.
“The CPS and the Metropolitan Police were able to prove that Edwards was receiving illegal material involving children via WhatsApp. This prosecution sends a clear message that the CPS, working alongside the police, will work to bring to justice those who seek to exploit children, wherever that abuse takes place.”
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. Â His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
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