SHAMED BBC newsreader Huw Edwards “will never work” for the broadcaster again after depths of his grooming were lay bare.
The 63-year-old avoided jail yesterday despite admitting he paid a paedophile in the region of £1,500 for child sexual abuse images – seven of which were of the highest category.
The BBC presenter was given a six-month suspended sentence[/caption]
BBC director general Tim Davie has today said he ‘can’t see’ Edwards ever working for the corporation again[/caption]
BBC director general Tim Davie has today said he “can’t see” Edwards ever working for the corporation again and that they’re trying to claw-back his salary.
Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London conference, Davie said Edwards’ crimes were “appalling” and said “there’s no doubt that an affair like this impacts our reputation”.
Presenter Amol Rajan asked Davie why Edwards’ pay continued after the BBC was made aware of charges against him.
He replied that “we decided that pay continues until someone is charged” and added: “I think it was the right decision based on current policy.”
Rajan then asked Davie how the BBC would get Edwards’ £200,000 salary he was given after they knew he had been arrested over child abuse images.
He replied: “We want the money back and we’ve asked for it back, and we’re waiting to hear back.”
Rajan went on: “Will Huw Edwards work for the BBC again?”
Davie replied: “I cant see that happening again….this man has been convicted of appalling crimes and it’s pretty straightforward and I cant see him working at the BBC again.”
Davie added that victims’ families are the “primary concern” and said that young people who raised concerns over Edwards were “taken seriously” at the time allegations were made.
He said: “We’re just shocked, and there’s a lot of upset because across the BBC, we’ve got great teams, good people and they feel deeply, deeply let down.”
Edwards continued to earn his salary for five months after he was arrested on three counts of making indecent images of children.
After The Sun revealed he was paying a 17-year-old for sexual images, in July 2023, Edwards was suspended on his £480,000 salary.
He was arrested in November last year and did not resign from the BBC until April 2024.
