In a startling development, former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been charged with child pornography offenses. The allegations involve 37 indecent images reportedly shared via WhatsApp.
Edwards, who is 62 years old, faces three separate charges related to making these images between December 2020 and April 2022.
Scotland Yard confirmed that Edwards was taken into custody on November 8, 2023. He was officially charged on June 26, 2024, after receiving authorization from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Edwards will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this Wednesday.
The charges detail that Edwards is accused of possessing six Category A images, twelve Category B images, and nineteen Category C images. Category A includes images depicting penetrative sexual activity, sexual acts with animals, or sadism.
Category B covers non-penetrative sexual activity, and Category C involves indecent images that don’t fall into Categories A or B. If convicted, Edwards could face up to ten years in prison.
BBC Resignation and Public Reaction
Edwards resigned from the BBC in April 2024 amid allegations that he had paid for sexually explicit pictures.
Initially, both the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police had stated that no criminal activity had been found in his actions.
Edwards had been absent from his broadcasting role since July 2023 and remained on the payroll while suspended—a standard BBC practice. During this period, he struggled with severe mental health issues and received inpatient care.
The BBC announced that Edwards’ departure was based on medical advice, and he did not receive a pay-off upon leaving.
Throughout his career, Edwards was a prominent figure in BBC coverage of significant political and royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s death and funeral, and King Charles III’s coronation.
Financial Details and Career Highlights
In the 2023/24 financial year, Edwards earned between £475,000 and £479,999 for 160 days of presenting across various BBC programs. This was an increase from his 2022/23 earnings of between £435,000 and £439,999 for 180 days of work.
His notable career moments include coverage of the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilees, the weddings of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the funeral of Prince Philip.
Edwards also served as the BBC’s voice at Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance, and he took over election coverage from David Dimbleby in 2019.
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