Huw Edwards named as BBC presenter in ‘sex pictures scandal’ by wife in emotional statement
HUW Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter at the centre of a scandal over alleged sex images.
The veteran broadcaster has been revealed by his wife as the star accused of paying more than £35,000 to a youngster since they were 17.
Moments before wife Vicky Flind’s statement, the BBC appeared to reveal Edwards is facing “more allegations about inappropriate behaviour this time from colleagues”.
Vicky said: “In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.
“I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.
“Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues.
“As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
“The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.
“Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.
“To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.
“In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.
“I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.”
Moments before the statement was released, Met Police said there was no information to suggest a criminal offence has been committed.
The BBC star is said to have accepted sexual photos over a period of three years.
Since The Sun exclusively revealed the allegations a further three youngsters have come forward.
It was first claimed by the family of the now-20-year-old that the huge amount of money sent by Edwards was used to fund their child’s addiction to crack cocaine.
Edwards has been with the BBC for almost 40 years.
Yesterday, a second person claimed they received “threatening messages” from the suspended presenter.
The individual in their early 20s told the BBC they were contacted anonymously by Edwards on a dating app before being put under pressure to meet up.
They said after connecting on a dating app the conversation moved to other platforms where Edwards’ identity was revealed.
Edwards is then accused of sending the “menacing” and “abusive” messages after the second youngster suggested naming him online.
BBC News claimed it has seen the messages from the presenter to the young person and verified the phone number of Edwards.
A third youngster then approached The Sun and claimed the star broke Covid lockdown laws to meet them, while a fourth told us they received “creepy” messages from the broadcaster from when they were 17.
It comes as the family of the first youngster told The Sun they complained to the BBC hours after the presenter tried to meet the youngster at a train station.
Their stepdad said: “Without the money, my partner’s child would have no drugs.”
Emails seen by The Sun show the stepfather told the Beeb on May 19 of bank statements detailing huge payments from the star.
The stepdad revealed he told the broadcaster’s bosses they had screenshots of contact between their child and the star.
The BBC earlier launched a review into its complaints procedures after admitting Edwards was not confronted about “serious allegations” for seven weeks.
It comes as BBC Director General Tim Davie said police asked the Beeb to pause their investigation as they take over enquiries.
Last week the presenter remained on air and was not even spoken to until The Sun contacted the BBC.
The first young person’s stepfather has since accused the BBC of lying after it said “new allegations” emerged, leading to the star’s suspension on Sunday.
The new claims were that the youngster was 17 when contact began with the presenter, according to the stepdad.
He fumed: “They’re not telling the truth. I told them the youngster was 20 and it had been going on for three years.
“I told the BBC I had gone to the police in desperation but they couldn’t do anything as they said it wasn’t illegal. They knew all of this.”
He also said the money did not stop, adding: “I don’t even think they spoke to him.”
The BBC say they did call the family in June, but nobody picked up.
A lawyer for the youngster says nothing unlawful or inappropriate happened.
The legal letter said: “For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality.”
It also called the parents’ allegations “totally wrong” and claimed there was “no truth” in the claims.
It also called our initial story – based on interviews and sworn statements from their worried parents – “rubbish”.
The Sun responded: “We have reported a story about two very concerned parents who made a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of a presenter and the welfare of their child.
“Their complaint was not acted upon by the BBC.
“We have seen evidence that supports their concerns.
“It’s now for the BBC to properly investigate.”
The presenter’s colleagues at the BBC had urged the star to come forward after the claims emerged.