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

Former BBC journalist describes corporations coverage of story as ‘distasteful’

The BBC has resumed its investigation into Huw Edwards after the newsreader was identified by his wife as the BBC presenter at the heart of a sex scandal

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

[14 July 2023 08:52 · Holly Evans]

‘This is a disgrace,’ says former BBC presenter

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.”

[14 July 2023 08:40 · Holly Evans]

Emily Maitlis questions ‘distasteful’ BBC reporting

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.”

Jon Sopel and Emily Maitlis criticised the BBC’s coverage of Huw Edwards (Global/PA) (PA Media)

[14 July 2023 07:56 · Holly Evans]

All the allegations made against BBC presenter

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:

[14 July 2023 07:43 · Holly Evans]

Cardiff University calls for Edwards’ privacy to be respected

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.

[14 July 2023 06:00 · Jane Dalton]

The faithful wife: Vicky Flind

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”:

[14 July 2023 05:15 · Jane Dalton]

BBC boss faces grilling in parliament

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:

[14 July 2023 04:20 · Jane Dalton]

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

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:

[14 July 2023 03:00 · Jane Dalton]

Newsreader says King’s bluntness ‘refreshing’

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.”

[14 July 2023 01:50 · Jane Dalton]

Timeline of a scandal

A reminder of what happened after the claims emerged:

[14 July 2023 00:40 · Jane Dalton]

BBC journalists still investigating ‘to prove impartiality'

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.