Huw Edwards allegations: BBC presenter 'sent inappropriate and suggestive messages to colleagues'

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Huw Edwards sent 'inappropriate' and 'suggestive' messages to BBC colleagues which 'made them feel uncomfortable', it has been claimed.

On Wednesday, Edwards was named as the BBC presenter accused by the Sun of paying a young person, now aged 20, for sexual images.

The newspaper’s initial report - published on 7 July - suggested that this had started when the individual was 17 - a potentially serious criminal offence, leading the BBC to launch an investigation into its handling of a complaint that was initially raised by the parents of the person in May.

The police has since said no criminal act took place. The Sun subsequently claimed its initial report did not allege any criminality had taken place.

After the statement from his wife, Vicky Flind, who also revealed Edwards had been admitted to hospital suffering from 'serious mental health issues', the BBC reported several new claims from BBC employees past and present who said they had received what they believed were "inappropriate messages" from the veteran presenter.

BBC Newsnight reported that one former employee claimed Edwards had sent "suggestive" messages on social media that had made them feel "uncomfortable" and left them feeling "awkward".

Another claim referred to late-night messages on social media including "kisses", which the recipient felt was an "abuse of power".

Read more: Huw Edwards: The BBC’s trusted voice for Britain's most historic moments

An employee still at the corporation said they received a private message on social media commenting on their appearance which gave them a "cold shudder", the BBC reported.

Newsnight also reported that two of the three workers whose claims were referred felt they couldn't report what they felt was inappropriate behaviour.

In an internal memo to staff, seen by the PA news agency, BBC director-general Tim Davie said the statement from Edwards' wife were "a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public", as he pledged that the corporation's immediate concern was its "duty of care".

He wrote: "At the heart of this are people and their families.

"This will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days. I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved."

Davie also referenced an earlier request from the Metropolitan Police asking the corporation to pause its internal investigation, saying: "It is important we now continue with this work.

"I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process."

The statement from Edwards' wife, herself a TV producer, said: "Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues.

READ MORE ON THE HUW EDWARDS SCANDAL:

BBC presenter scandal timeline as Huw Edwards revealed as suspended star (Independent)

Media figures among those sending support to ‘superb broadcaster’ Huw Edwards (PA Media)

Who is BBC presenter Huw Edwards? (BBC, 5-min read)

Huw Edwards: The Sun says it has dossier of 'serious' claims but has 'no plans' to publish more allegations (Sky News, 3-min read)

"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."

She said that once the presenter, who has worked for the BBC for four decades, was well enough, he "intends to respond to the stories that have been published" and added that her husband was first told there were allegations "being made against him last Thursday".

Flind asked for privacy, adding: "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."