BBC chairman Samir Shah has called former newsreader Huw Edwards a “villain” who “behaved in bad faith”, taking “licence fee money to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds” despite knowing “what he had done”.
The disgraced presenter, who pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children on July 31, received an estimated £200,000 between his arrest in November 2023 and resignation in April.
The BBC has asked Edwards to return the salary he was paid during the period following his arrest and said he had “undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute”.
In an email to BBC colleagues on Friday Mr Shah said the corporation ought to “do more” to “try and get our culture right”.
It said: “Dear colleagues, it’s been over a week since the news broke about Huw Edwards and his crimes.
“It was a shock to discover that Huw Edwards was living a double life.
“On the face of it, he was a much-admired broadcaster with whom the BBC had entrusted the responsibility of anchoring its flagship news programme and presiding over national events but he betrayed the trust of staff and our audiences in the most egregious possible way.
“Let me be clear: the villain of this piece is Huw Edwards; the victims are those children for whose degradation Huw Edwards provided a market for.
“Whilst I was not chair when the BBC was first alerted to Mr Edwards’ behaviour and the consequent actions taken, I – and the board – have now had detailed accounts from BBC executives about what happened.”
He added that the executive had to navigate a “complex situation” by dealing with both the complaints made by colleagues and the police investigation into Edwards.
He said: “What is also clear is that Tim Davie (BBC director-general) and his team approached every key decision in good faith; Mr Edwards behaved in bad faith.
“Throughout this time, Mr Edwards knew what he had done but he still took licence fee money to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Let me be clear: the villain of this piece is Huw Edwards; the victims are those children for whose degradation Huw Edwards provided a market for
BBC chairman Samir Shah
“The board fully support the decision of the executive, who have written to Mr Edwards to return the money.
“Nevertheless, there are very important lessons to be learned. I am particularly exercised by the continuing problem of how we handle bad behaviour by those with power in the BBC.
“We cannot be a place where there is any sense that inappropriate behaviour is seen as acceptable.
“Whilst this is a challenge for many employers, we have to hold ourselves to the highest standards.
“I know the BBC has done a tremendous amount to try and get our culture right, however, it is clear to me that we need to do more.”
Mr Shah said “people must be treated with respect and in line with our values” and added that the independent review announced “is vital”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she welcomed the BBC’s decision to commission a review that will “make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC values”.
The BBC will set out terms of reference and leadership of the independent review in early September.