Huw Edwards: The Sun ‘inflicted terror’ on BBC presenter, former editor says
The Metropolitan Police has said no criminal offence had been committed by Edwards and no further police action will be taken “at this time”.
A former editor of the Sun has accused the newspaper of inflicting "terror” on the BBC's Huw Edwards.
David Yelland, who edited the tabloid from 1998 to early 2003, said it now faced a “crisis”.
“I wish @thehuwedwards well,” he tweeted. “The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence."
The criticism comes amid new claims from BBC employees who have reportedly alleged Edwards sent 'inappropriate' messages to colleagues.
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BBC scandal: A timeline
Here is a timeline of the events surrounding the emergence and fallout from the allegations.
May 18
Family member of young person goes to BBC building to complain about behaviour of Huw Edwards, who is not publicly named.
May 19
BBC reportedly emails complainant for more information but receives no reply. BBC director-general Tim Davie subsequently refers to the initial call log, which he says shows it lasted 29 minutes.
June 6
Having received no response to the email, BBC tries to phone mobile number of complainant but the call does not connect.
July 6
The Sun informs the BBC of allegations concerning Edwards. Davie subsequently says the claims were different to the initial complaint because they "clearly related to potential criminal activity" and are followed up by the broadcaster's Corporate Investigations team.
Edwards is taken off air while the investigation takes place.
July 7
The BBC’s Corporate Investigations team contact the complainant again, who was in touch with the BBC’s investigators. The corporation also makes contact with the police.
The Sun publishes the initial claims in the evening, but does not name the presenter.
July 8
The complainant sends the BBC some materials related to the complaint. Social media is flooded with false claims as to the identity of the unnamed man.
July 9
The BBC issues a update to staff and the media confirming it has suspended Edwards. High-profile BBC stars such as Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine deny being the man in question and start threatening legal action to those making false claims on social media..
July 10
The police asks the BBC to pause its investigations into the allegations while they scope future work.
July 11
The BBC reports a second person saying they felt "scared" by messages they received from Edwards.
The young person says they met Edwards on a dating app and when they suggested they would name Edwards publicly, the BBC presenter sent "threatening messages".
BBC News says it had contacted the presenter – who is still yet to be named – via his lawyer, but had received no response to the allegations.
Watch: Huw Edwards named by his wife as BBC presenter at centre of scandal
July 12
Edwards' wife Vicky Flind issues a statement naming her husband as the individual involved.
The Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police say no criminal offence has been committed by Edwards and neither force would currently be taking any further action.
The BBC announces it will resume its “fact-finding investigations” to ensure “due process and a thorough assessment of the facts”.
BBC Newsnight later reports new claims from one current and one former BBC worker, who said they had received “inappropriate messages” from Edwards and that there was “a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues”.
