Huw Edwards – latest: Presenter ‘not impressed’ with BBC coverage after ‘feeding frenzy’ over sex scandal

Suspended BBC star Huw Edwards is “not overly impressed” with the broadcaster’s coverage of allegations made against him amid the media “feeding frenzy” over the sex scandal he is at the heart of, his former colleague Jon Sopel has said.

The 61-year-old was identified by his wife, Vicky Flind, as the presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images, as the broadcaster resumed its investigation into the presenter.

Sopel, who worked with Mr Edwards for decades before leaving the corporation last year, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain he had been in touch with Edwards before he went to hospital and said: “He was very angry, I think felt very let down by what happened in the Sun, furious with their coverage, [and] not overly impressed with the BBC’s coverage, either.”

Sopel said coverage of the allegations “got ugly”, adding: “I think it became a feeding frenzy. I think it was a competition to see who could go further the fastest.”

Fresh claims emerged on Wednesday evening that Mr Edwards sent two BBC colleagues and a former member of staff “inappropriate messages”, as reported on BBC Newsnight.

Key Points

• Huw Edwards faces fresh claims as BBC resumes probe

• Presenter’s wife’s statement in full

• Newsreader who broke Queen’s death to nation now at centre of sex scandal

• BBC’s director-general Tim Davie’s note sent to staff

• Edwards is BBC’s most highly paid newsreader

Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’

12:15 , Tara Cobham

Suspended BBC star Huw Edwards is facing fresh claims he sent BBC colleagues "inappropriate messages" as the broadcaster resumed its investigation into the presenter at the centre of the sex photo scandal.

The new claims - which followed the naming of the presenter by his wife on Wednesday night - come from two current and a former BBC worker, who said they had received “inappropriate” messages from Mr Edwards on social media, according to BBC Newsnight.

The former employee said they had never met the presenter but received messages from him on social media, “some late at night and signed off with kisses”, which they said they believed was an “abuse of power”.

Read more:

Huw Edwards accused of sending BBC staff ‘inappropriate messages’

Opinion: Rupert Murdoch has lobbied against BBC for years

13:25 , Jane Dalton

There is certainly a public interest, post-Savile, in how the corporation handles such complaints but there are questions for both the BBC and The Sun. Alan Rusbridger, a former editor-in-chief of The Guardian, looks at why The Sun did what it did:

Was Rupert Murdoch’s BBC hate behind The Sun’s Huw Edwards exposé? | Alan Rusbridger

MP calls for debate in Commons on BBC

12:54 , Tara Cobham

An MP has called for a debate in the Commons on the BBC and whether its culture has “really changed, as we were promised some years ago”.

Speaking during business questions in the Commons, Reclaim Party MP Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) said: “Once again the BBC finds itself mired in scandal, sleaze and cover-up. So can we have a debate on the BBC?

“Well, we can debate whether its culture has really changed, as we were promised some years ago. We can debate whether the public should still be forced to buy a television licence to view live television, even if they don’t wish to watch the BBC output. And also we can debate whether the BBC is actually fit to be the nation’s self-appointed arbiter of truth and transparency through its Verify unit.”

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt replied: “I think there are many matters related to the BBC of concern to members across this House. We frequently have the BBC – whether it is local radio or the BBC Singers, or indeed, standards and ethics and professional competence and such questions – raised. I am sure it will be a well-attended debate.”

Mental health charity calls for Huw Edwards to be given “space to receive treatment”

12:36 , Tara Cobham

Mental health charity Mind called for Huw Edwards to be given the “space to receive treatment” while he experiences “serious mental health problems”.

The director of Mind Cymru, Susan O’Leary, said Edwards, patron of a branch of Mind in Llanelli, has supported the charity but has not “done any in-person work”.

In a statement, she said: “As is well documented, Huw has been treated for severe depression in recent years. He has been very eloquent in talking about his mental health issues.

“Given these very challenging circumstances, he has asked that he and his family’s privacy be respected.

“We would like to stress that it is important that anybody experiencing serious mental health problems is given the appropriate space to receive the treatment they need.”

BBC News ‘examining allegations against Huw Edwards days before The Sun story'

11:53 , Tara Cobham

BBC News journalists had been looking into allegations against Huw Edwards just days before The Sun published its story claiming the presenter had paid a young person tens of thousands of pounds for sexually explicit pictures, according to reports.

BBC sources said Newsnight anchor Victoria Derbyshire was among those examining the accusations, Deadline has reported.

Huw Edwards was ‘very angry’ and ‘felt very let down’, says Jon Sopel

11:35 , Tara Cobham

Huw Edwards was “very angry” and “felt very let down” by the coverage of the allegations made about him, his former colleague Jon Sopel has said.

Sopel, who worked with Edwards for decades before leaving the corporation last year, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain he had been in touch with Edwards before he went to hospital.

He said: “We’ve had contact, obviously not since he’s been hospitalised. He was very angry, I think felt very let down by what happened in the Sun, furious with their coverage, not overly impressed with the BBC’s coverage either.

“I’m sure anyone who knows him is just wishing him well.

“Huw I have known for over three decades, when we were young political correspondents competing against each other to get up the ladder at the BBC. He is incredibly funny, has got an acid wit. He can be a complicated person to deal with.

“If you’re entering Huw’s orbit, he’s very defensive of his own territory, so I wouldn’t say we’re close friends, but I thought that some of the coverage about what has happened about someone’s private life, which is complicated, and possibly a bit messy, and that some might find distasteful, I don’t see what it’s got to do with anyone else.

“If there’s no question of illegality, there’s no question of sexual assault and things might change, but, as things stand now, there’s been no illegality, there’s been no abuse of power, as far as I can see. Therefore, what is it to do with anybody?”

Sopel said coverage of the allegations “got ugly”, adding: “I think it became a feeding frenzy. I think it was a competition to see who could go further the fastest.”

Asked what he thinks the situation means for Edwards professionally, Sopel said: “I think if, at the end of this, what you are left with is someone who had some personal struggles about who he was, what he was, how he lived his life, and he made some ill-considered judgments along the way, I think it would be such a shame, if such a talented and gifted broadcaster – and the way he navigates state occasions and the big events and reads the news with such authority – if that is lost. I think that will be a great loss.

“So I hope he gets better. And I hope that some way, somehow, he’s back – providing nothing else comes out that we don’t know about – but if things are as they are, I hope he makes a return.”

Watch: BBC’s Sophie Raworth mistakenly announces that Huw Edwards has resigned

11:33 , Tara Cobham

Sophie Raworth mistakenly said that Huw Edwards had resigned from his position after announcing that her colleague had been named as the BBC presenter at the heart of a sex scandal.

The veteran broadcaster was named by his wife, Vicky Flind, as the presenter who has faced allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

Ms Flind added that her husband is receiving in-patient hospital care and “suffering from serious mental health issues.”

Ms Raworth subsequently corrected her report, confirming that Mr Edwards had not stepped down.

Watch: BBC’s Sophie Raworth mistakenly announces that Huw Edwards has resigned

Dan Walker and Elizabeth Day among stars sharing compassion for Huw Edwards

11:15 , Tara Cobham

Dan Walker, David Baddiel and Elizabeth Day are among those who have shared their thoughts on the discussion surrounding Huw Edwards, after the BBC presenter was named as the person facing allegations over payments to a teenager for sexually explicit images.

After days of speculation over the presenter’s identity, on Wednesday (12 July), Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, said the newsreader is “suffering from serious mental health issues” and is now “receiving inpatient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future”.

Her statement came as the Metropolitan Police announced that no criminal offence had been committed, and the BBC will now resume its own “fact-finding” investigation into claims made in The Sun last week that Edwards, 61, had paid a young person around £35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for photos.

Ellie Harrison reports:

Huw Edwards: All the reaction as stars share concern for presenter named in BBC row

BBC’s director-general Tim Davie’s note sent to staff

10:55 , Tara Cobham

The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie has said this will “no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days” and added: “I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.”

In a note sent to staff, Mr Davie said: “I wanted to write following this evening’s statements from the family of Huw Edwards and the police.

“Many of you will have read the words of Vicky Flind, Huw’s wife. It is a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public. 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.

“Also this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police confirmed they would be taking no further action following an assessment of information provided to them.

“As you know, we were asked to pause our fact finding investigations until that assessment had been concluded. It is important we now continue with this work. I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

“This remains a very complex set of circumstances. As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.”

BBC chief Tim Davie will be questioned in Parliament

10:44 , Tara Cobham

BBC chief Tim Davie will be questioned in Parliament about the corporation's leadership following the Huw Edwards scandal.

The BBC director general, acting chairwowman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner have been called to appear before the Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday.

The peers will raise a range of issues, including "in light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBC's governance arrangements and how it is addressing these".

Watch: Angela Rayner calls for ‘privacy’ in Huw Edwards scandal

10:35 , Tara Cobham

Statement in full from The Sun on Huw Edwards

10:15 , Tara Cobham

Following the naming of Huw Edwards in relation to a BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images, here is the statement in full from The Sun newspaper:

“The allegations published by The Sun were always very serious. Further serious allegations have emerged in the past few days.

“It is right that the BBC’s Corporate Investigations Team continues to investigate these thoroughly and deals with them in the way that they think is appropriate.

“The Sun will cooperate with the BBC’s internal investigation process.

“We will provide the BBC team with a confidential and redacted dossier containing serious and wide-ranging allegations which we have received, including some from BBC personnel.

“The Sun has no plans to publish further allegations.

“We must also re-emphasise that The Sun at no point in our original story alleged criminality and also took the decision neither to name Mr Edwards nor the young person involved in the allegations.

“Suggestions about possible criminality were first made at a later date by other media outlets, including the BBC.

“From the outset, we have reported a story about two very concerned and frustrated parents who made a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of a presenter and payments from him that fuelled the drug habit of a young person.

“We reported that the parents had already been to the police who said that they couldn’t help.

“The parents then made a complaint to the BBC which was not acted upon.

“It is now for the BBC to properly investigate.”

Former editor of The Sun says newspaper faces ‘crisis’

10:04 , Tara Cobham

David Yelland, former editor of The Sun, said the newspaper had “inflicted terror” on Huw Edwards, and now faced a “crisis”.

“I wish @thehuwedwards well,” Yelland wrote on Twitter.

“The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence.

“This is no longer a BBC crisis, it is a crisis for the paper. Huw’s privacy must now be respected.

“Social media also needs speedy reform.”

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind?

09:55 , Tara Cobham

In a shock announcement, Huw Edwards has been named as the BBC presenter at the centre of a sex scandal that has rocked the nation’s broadcaster.

His wife Vicky Flind named him as the suspended TV star and said that her husband was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and was receiving treatment in hospital, where he would remain “for the foreseeable future”.

Describing the last few days as “extremely difficult” for her family, she requested privacy for all involved, including the couple’s five children.

Read more:

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind and what do we know about the presenter?

‘BBC should be given space to investigate,’ says Government minister

09:35 , Tara Cobham

The BBC should be given space to conduct an investigation into the allegations faced by newsreader Huw Edwards, a Government minister said.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat told Sky News’ The Take: “I think the right thing to do is to allow the BBC to conduct whatever investigation they feel they need to do and to make sure that the family are not dragged into this.

“After all, there’s one person who’s been alleged to have done wrong, not his whole family.”

Asked about the BBC’s handling of the controversy, he said: “I have very partial information and I don’t want to rush to judgment when actually these are serious allegations.

“And the correct thing to do is to find out what actually happened before casting aspersions on anyone.”

BBC continuing ‘fact-finding investigations'

09:18 , Tara Cobham

The BBC is to continue its “fact-finding investigations” into allegations against BBC veteran broadcaster Huw Edwards following the naming of the presenter by his wife on Wednesday night.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said in a note to staff it is “important” that the work on the internal investigation continues, adding: “I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.”

Huw Edwards liked two tweets saying claims ‘rubbish'

08:42 , Tara Cobham

Huw Edwards liked two tweets on Monday, which both linked to a BBC article that reported the young person’s lawyers saying the claims made by the mother at the heart of the sex scandal are “rubbish”.

The lawyer told the broadcaster "nothing inappropriate or unlawful" took place and that the young person refuted the allegations to The Sun before it published claims a BBC presenter had paid the teenager for sexually explicit photos.

Jon Sopel tweeted: “The Sun⁩ has made the most serious allegations about a BBC presenter. Now needs to provide evidence or potentially face the mother of all libel actions.”

Huw Edwards recently deleted his Instagram account but still has his Twitter account.

Angela Rayner says reporting of claims against Huw Edwards was ‘tragic'

08:20 , Tara Cobham

Angela Rayner has said the reporting of allegations against Huw Edwards was “tragic” and raises questions about the BBC’s complaints processes.

The Labour deputy leader said the story “pitted parents against a child” and “the BBC against The Sun”, and left Mr Edwards in “an awful situation”.

“"It's right that the BBC look at their processes, and see if their complaints process works properly,” she told Times Radio.

She added: “People have to have confidence in those processes, that they can come forward if there's issues in the workplace, and that there's policies and procedures that will deal with it there.

“Are the BBCs policies and procedures correct and are they being applied in the correct manner as well?”

And Ms Rayner said: “It's an absolutely tragic situation, which has pitted parents against a child, the BBC against The Sun. And Huw Edwards is obviously in an awful situation now and his family have made that very clear of the circumstances for him.”

Huw Edwards faces fresh claims as BBC resumes probe

07:59 , Tara Cobham

One current and one former BBC worker have said they had received “inappropriate messages” from Mr Edwards, “some late at night and signed off with kisses”, in fresh claims reported on Wednesday evening by BBC Newsnight.

Both said there was “a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers,” Newsnight said.

This comes after the BBC has resumed its investigation into Mr Edwards after pausing it upon request of the Metropolitan Police while the force conducted its own probe into a string of allegations against Mr Edwards, including paying a young person for sexually explicit images.

But, after the Met concluded there was no information to indicate that a criminal offence had been committed, the broadcaster said it will conduct “a thorough assessment of the facts, while continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved”.

BBC presenter scandal timeline

05:00 , Holly Evans

The wife of newsreader Huw Edwards has revealed he is the presenter in the middle of the BBC scandal.

Vicky Flind said her husband was in hospital “suffering from serious mental health issues” after facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.

Here is a timeline behind the controversy:

BBC presenter scandal timeline as Huw Edwards revealed as suspended star

Viewers praised Edwards’s non-stop coverage of Queen’s funeral

04:00 , Jane Dalton

Back in September, BBC News viewers joked that the presenter deserved ‘a fortnight off’ after days on end commentating on the Queen’s funeral. A reminder:

BBC viewers joke Huw Edwards deserves ‘a fortnight off’ after Queen’s funeral

Huw Edwards’s 20-year struggle with mental health

03:00 , Jane Dalton

Newsreader Huw Edwards has spoken publicly in the past about his mental health problems, describing how his depression and anxiety had left him unable to get out of bed at times:

Huw Edwards has spoken publicly in past of 20-year struggle with mental health

Media figures send support to ‘superb broadcaster’

02:00 , Jane Dalton

Journalists and high-profile media figures are among those who have sent support to the “superb broadcaster”:

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

Newsreader perfect target for BBC haters, says ex-spin doctor

01:00 , Jane Dalton

Huw Edwards is “the perfect target for those who would undermine and indeed would like to destroy the BBC”, according to Labour former spin doctor Alastair Campbell.

Praising his coverage of the Queen’s death, Campbell said Edwards was a superb broadcaster, and the pair had discussed their experiences of depression.

He added: “The police having said no action to be taken, whatever he did or did not do is a matter for him and his family, and for the BBC.”

Edwards: the face and voice of nation’s historical moments

Thursday 13 July 2023 00:01 , Jane Dalton

Edwards, 61 and a father-of-five, has fronted the BBC’s flagship nightly news programme for 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster. Read more about his background:

Veteran broadcaster Huw Edwards: Face and voice of nation’s historical moments

Police say no crime committed

Wednesday 12 July 2023 23:00 , Holly Evans

ICYMI: There’s no evidence Edwards committed a crime, police said.

Metropolitan police said it made its decision after speaking with the alleged victim and that person’s parents.

Police say no crime committed by BBC presenter who allegedly paid teen for sexually explicit photos

Vicky Flind, the wife standing by Huw Edwards

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:59 , Jane Dalton

Huw Edwards’s wife Vicky Flind has stood by her husband. Describing the last few days as “extremely difficult” for her family, she requested privacy for all involved, including the couple’s five children. Here’s who they are:

Who is Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind and what do we know about the presenter?

Fallout sharply divides opinions

Wednesday 12 July 2023 21:05 , Jane Dalton

Opinions are sharply divided between those sympathising with Edwards and those condemning the alleged actions, as well as between those blaming the media over how the allegations were reported and those saying the reports were in the public interest because the BBC is funded by licence-fee-payers.

Left-wing commentator Steve Richards tweeted about “another familar darkly hysterical sequence” but right-wing commentator Allison Pearson responded: “Most BBC viewers will be deeply shocked. They pay Huw Edwards’ salary.”

Important we resume BBC probe, says boss

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:41 , Jane Dalton

In a note sent to staff, BBC boss Tim Davie said: “I wanted to write following this evening’s statements from the family of Huw Edwards and the police.

“Many of you will have read the words of Vicky Flind, Huw’s wife. It is a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public. 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.

“Also this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police confirmed they would be taking no further action following an assessment of information provided to them.

“As you know, we were asked to pause our fact finding investigations until that assessment had been concluded. It is important we now continue with this work. I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

“This remains a very complex set of circumstances. As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.”

Difficult time ahead, says BBC boss

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:38 , Jane Dalton

BBC director-general Tim Davie has said in a message to staff: “This will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days. I want toreassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.”

The Sun blames BBC for alleging criminal behaviour

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:27 , Jane Dalton

The Sun says it never alleged that Edwards had done anything criminal - and that those suggestions came from the BBC itself.

“We must also re-emphasise that The Sun at no point in our original story alleged criminality and also took the decision neither to name Mr Edwards nor the young person involved in the allegations,” a spokesperson said.

“Suggestions about possible criminality were first made at a later date by other media outlets, including the BBC.

“From the outset, we have reported a story about two very concerned and frustrated parents who made a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of a presenter and payments from him that fuelled the drug habit of a young person.

“We reported that the parents had already been to the police who said that they couldn’t help. The parents then made a complaint to the BBC which was not acted upon.

“It is now for the BBC to properly investigate.”

The Sun says it has no plans to print more claims

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:22 , Jane Dalton

The Sun says it has no plans to publish further allegations about Huw Edwards and will co-operate with the BBC’s internal investigation process.

“The allegations published by The Sun were always very serious. Further serious allegations have emerged in the past few days,” a spokesperson said.

“It is right that the BBC’s Corporate Investigations Team continues to investigate these thoroughly and deals with them in the way that they think is appropriate. The Sun will cooperate with the BBC’s internal investigation process.

“We will provide the BBC team with a confidential and redacted dossier containing serious and wide-ranging allegations which we have received, including some from BBC personnel.

“The Sun has no plans to publish further allegations.”

Timeline of the scandal

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:20 , Jane Dalton

Four claims have been made against the veteran newsreader. This is when each allegation was made and the responses:

BBC presenter scandal timeline as Huw Edwards revealed as suspended star

Edwards’s wife ‘one of nicest, kindest and most decent' women

Wednesday 12 July 2023 20:05 , Jane Dalton

MP Jess Phillips said on Twitter that Vicky Flind was “by some distance one of the nicest, kindest and most decent” women she had had had the privilege to work with.

Edwards himself has not tweeted since 27 June, when he posted a photograph of his news team receiving an award for coverage of the late Queen’s funeral.

Edwards is BBC’s most highly paid newsreader

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:45 , Jane Dalton

Edwards is the BBC’s most highly paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of £435,000 – £439,999, up from £410,000 – £414,000 last year, putting him fourth on the list of best-paid stars:

Gary Lineker remains at top of list of BBC’s highest paid on-air talent

Vital to ‘get to the bottom’ of claims, says Hunt

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:30 , Jane Dalton

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the BBC should “get to the bottom” of allegations about its star presenter for the sake of the nation.

Speaking before Huw Edwards was identified as the presenter at the centre of the row and before the police announced there would be no criminal investigation, Mr Hunt said there were “very, very serious allegations” at play.

Asked whether Tory MP Lee Anderson’s comments that the BBC is a “safe haven for perverts” were appropriate, he said: “Well, it’s not the language I would use, but everyone has their own language.

“But [what] I would say is, the BBC is a great national institution that is a very, very important part of our fabric. It’s very important part of our democracy. But these are very, very serious allegations.”

Asked again if he thought it was “a safe haven for perverts”, Mr Hunt replied: “Well I think we need to find out what the police say when they do their investigation, what the BBC’s own investigation says – but certainly the BBC director general himself has said that there are valid questions about the speed with which the BBC reacted, so we need to get to the bottom of this for the BBC’s sake, as well as for the country’s sake.”

Wife’s statement in full

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:15 , Jane Dalton

Read the statement in full from Edwards’s wife, Vicky Flind:

Statement on Huw Edwards from wife Vicky Flind in full

Edwards had been ‘left bedridden’ by depression

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:07 , Jane Dalton

Welsh journalist and broadcaster Edwards has previously spoken about his mental health, telling BBC Radio Cymru in 2019 that he was “mentally in the wrong place” when he was physically “unhealthy”.

He also revealed in a documentary in 2021 he had bouts of depression which have left him “bedridden” since 2002.

Jon Sopel wishes Edwards well

Wednesday 12 July 2023 19:04 , Jane Dalton

Jon Sopel has sent his best wishes to Edwards, tweeting: “This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life.

“That doesn’t feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect. They really need to. I wish @thehuwedwards well.”

Earlier, former BBC News North America editor Sopel said he did not agree that the then-anonymous presenter should come forward, saying: “I think that whoever the presenter is needs to work it out himself, I cannot begin to imagine the sort of pressure, the sort of anguish, turmoil that is going on in his life.”

Sopel added: “Dear @BBCRadio4 @BBCNews, Well done on handling the breaking news about @thehuwedwards and the fact that he’s now being treated in hospital - but to then straight off back of that into a report on him facing fresh allegations of misconduct? That was just terrible.”

South Wales Police will investigate if criminality suspected in future

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:55 , Jane Dalton

South Wales Police say they will investigate if evidence of criminality is found in future.

They said they had been in contact with the Metropolitan Police and the BBC following a meeting on Monday.

“Information was initially received by the force in April 2023 regarding the welfare of an adult,” the force said.

“No criminality was identified. Following recent events, further enquiries have been carried out and officers have spoken to a number of parties to establish whether any criminal allegations are being made.

“At this time, there is no evidence that any criminal offences have been committed.

“There are no ongoing enquiries being carried out by South Wales Police.

“However, should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point in future then they will be investigated.”

Edwards has not quit

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:45 , Jane Dalton

Sources made clear to the PA news agency that Edwards had not resigned from the BBC.

Newsreader who broke Queen’s death to nation now at centre of sex scandal

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:43 , Jane Dalton

Huw Edwards’s fall from grace will, for many, shake something at the core of their identity. Nick Hilton reports on how someone facing such serious allegations became a national treasure:

Huw Edwards: BBC presenter who broke Queen’s death now at centre of sex scandal

Huw Edwards named by wife as BBC star at centre of sex scandal

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:05 , Jane Dalton

Edwards has serious mental health issues, says wife

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:04 , Jane Dalton

In a statement released to the PA news agency, Vicky Flind, the wife of BBC news reader Huw Edwards 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.”

Huw Edwards identified as star

Wednesday 12 July 2023 18:03 , Jane Dalton

Vicky Flind, the wife of news reader Huw Edwards, has named him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images in a statement issued on his behalf.

Police drop investigation, saying ‘no offence committed’

Wednesday 12 July 2023 17:54 , Jane Dalton

No criminal offence was committed by the BBC employee, the Metropolitan Police say they have concluded, dropping their probe.

“Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed,” the force said.

They said they had spoken to a number of parties including the BBC and the alleged complainant and the alleged complainant’s family, both via another police force.

“There is no further police action. As such, the Met has advised the BBC it can continue with its internal investigation.”

They added: “We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same individual. No specific details or information about these allegations have been passed to us and therefore there is no police action at this time.

“Should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force.”

Police had asked the BBC to put its own investigation on hold while it carried out further “scoping”.

Jeremy Vine call strange, says Susanna Reid

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:55 , Jane Dalton

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid says Jeremy Vine’s call for the accused presenter to identify himself is odd.

She said: “Now we have a very high-profile presenter, Jeremy Vine, putting pressure on the unnamed presenter to come forward, which I think is a strange move for another presenter.”

Right that claims investigated quickly, says Rishi Sunak

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:34 , Jane Dalton

The prime minister says he was personally concerned by the claims against the BBC presenter and they should be investigated quickly.

Rishi Sunak said: “With regard to the BBC, I think, as you’ll be aware, the police have asked the BBC to suspend their inquiry whilst they do their assessment, and it is right that we let that continue.

“I personally was concerned by the allegations, they are serious and it’s right that they are investigated swiftly and rigorously.

“I’m glad that that’s happening and we should let that continue and conclude.”

He declined to comment when asked if the presenter should resign.

The new claims and questions explained

Wednesday 12 July 2023 15:25 , Jane Dalton

Everything known and the unanswered questions surrounding the furore over the BBC presenter:

BBC presenter allegations: What are the new claims and the unanswered questions?

Accused presenter hopes to walk back into the building, says Jeremy Vine

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:50 , Jane Dalton

Presenter Jeremy Vine says the BBC presenter at the heart of the ongoing sex scandal is angry but “hopes he can one day walk back into the building”:

Jeremy Vine says accused BBC presenter ‘angry’ but ‘hopes to walk back into building’

Broadcasters must have ways of flagging claims, says Channel 4 boss

Wednesday 12 July 2023 14:19 , Jane Dalton

A Channel 4 boss has said broadcasters needed to ensure procedures were in place that would quickly flag up issues such as the allegations facing the BBC.

Chief executive Alex Mahon was asked during the annual report press briefing whether the BBC had a duty of care to identify the presenter, to which she replied: “It doesn’t look easy does it.”

She added: “The key thing for us is to make sure that our procedures would flag something like that to us.

“We have a ‘speak up’ procedure that is on every call sheet that goes out on every production, and those instances are described to us as senior management, to me, within 24 hours, if something comes in.”

Channel 4 boss weighs in on duty of care debate amid BBC presenter allegations

Watch: Jeremy Vine urges presenter to come forward

Wednesday 12 July 2023 13:30 , Jane Dalton

Jeremy Vine urges BBC presenter to come forward in opening monologue of show

‘Lessons to be learned’ by BBC- government minister says

Wednesday 12 July 2023 12:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Government minister Victoria Atkins said this morning that there were “lessons to be learned” by the BBC in the handling of complaints against the unnamed presenter at the centre of a row over alleged payments for sexually explicit photos.

But the Treasury minister said the police scoping exercise and the BBC investigations must be allowed to run their course before the “post-mortem” can begin.

“Because the allegations are so serious, and we have always acknowledged this, we have to let these processes now go through,” she told Sky News.

“There will certainly be lessons to be learned for the BBC and I can understand why people may be asking questions at this point and I’m sure those questions will continue to be asked.”

BBC presenter scandal: All the allegations made against TV star so far

Wednesday 12 July 2023 12:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A BBC presenter accused of paying for sexually explicit photos now faces four allegations against him.

A 23-year-old has claimed the unnamed presenter broke lockdown rules to meet them during the pandemic in February 2021, according to The Sun.

Separately, a 17-year-old has alleged they were following the star on Instagram when he messaged them, using love hearts and kisses, reported The Sun on Tuesday.

In a different set of allegations, BBC News reported on Tuesday that a person in their early 20s has claimed they were sent threatening messages by the unnamed man.

It comes after The Sun alleged a young person was paid around £35,000 for sexually explicit images by the presenter, who has been suspended by the BBC.

All the allegations against BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images

BBC presenter scandal timeline as four claims made against household name

Wednesday 12 July 2023 11:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The BBC is facing increased pressure after fresh claims emerged about an unnamed presenter who has been facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit photos.

Below we set out a timeline of how the story has developed over the last week:

BBC presenter scandal timeline as four claims made against household name

Jeremy Vine says BBC ‘behaved with extraordinary decency'

Wednesday 12 July 2023 11:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Vine defended the BBC, saying the corporation has “behaved with extraordinary decency” and he understands that if it sacks the presenter, it may not be able to “name” him.

On whether the person thinks they are above being held to account for their alleged actions, Vine said: “It may be more complicated than that, they may be in some sort of terrible crisis, unable to judge what’s right and what’s wrong any more, I don’t know.”

Even if the identity of the scandal-hit BBC presenter is never disclosed, the damage has already been done

Wednesday 12 July 2023 11:09 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

How do you drag back into private something which has gone viral and become common knowledge? Media law expert David Banks explains the consequences:

We may not find out who the BBC presenter is – but the damage is done | David Banks

Former colleague to BBC presenter says TV star is ‘extremely angry’ over allegations

Wednesday 12 July 2023 10:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A former colleague of the unnamed BBC presenter has said the broadcaster is “extremely angry” over the allegations after he was accused of sending a teenager thousands in exchange for explicit photos.

Jon Sopel, a former BBC correspondent, told The News Agent podcast: “A number of people have been in touch with the presenter to say they feel righteous fury over the way The Sun has covered this and it is fair to say that the presenter at the heart of this is also extremely angry over a lot of The Sun coverage and is convinced they’re trying to dig and find new dirt to harm this particular person’s reputation.”

Since the first accusation emerged on Saturday, three more allegations have surfaced, including claims the presenter broke lockdown rules and sent threatening messages to a person in their early twenties who he met on a dating app.

Jeremy Vine says BBC presenter ‘will have to answer’ allegations against him

Wednesday 12 July 2023 10:29 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Jeremy Vine said the unnamed BBC presenter “will have to answer” the allegations against him, suggesting the man will not be able to “remain anonymous for ever” while continuing to work for the broadcaster.

Vine - who also hosts an afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 - said on his Channel 5 show: “I think it’s better for him if he does, I think he needs to.

“He will have to answer this, and what’s happening is all this stuff is aggregating with no response.

“Now, he must have a defence, he must have one. Maybe he’s going to say it’s all a misunderstanding? Well I assume it.

“But the idea that he can just remain anonymous for ever and then one day walk back into the building with his ID pass, oh no, that’s not going to happen.”

Vine, who was among a number of BBC stars who have publicly denied being the accused presenter, said: “I had a situation: I was going to see Bruce Springsteen at the weekend and my wife said, ‘are you going to be safe there?’

“That’s how serious this thing is, and she gave me a baseball cap and said ‘you better wear this’.”

What are the allegations against the BBC presenter?

Wednesday 12 July 2023 10:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

There are now four separate allegations against the BBC presenter.

The first allegation accused the presenter of paying a teenager thousands of pounds in exchange for explicit photos.

The second allegation surfaced on Tuesday when a young person in their early 20s claimed they felt threatened by messages they received from the BBC presenter.

Speaking to BBC News, the individual in their early 20s said they were first contacted anonymously by the male presenter on a dating app.

When the young person hinted online they might name the presenter, they claim they were sent abusive messages and became frightened by the ‘threats’ made in the messages.

The unnamed TV star was also accused of breaking lockdown rules to meet the person. The Sun claimed the presenter visited the person he met online and sent cash to them, with the paper further alleging he travelled out of London in February 2021 to meet them.

The Sun reported a fourth allegation against the presenter on Tuesday evening. An individual claimed the TV personality messaged them on Instagram when the individual was 17-years-old.

The presenter allegedly messaged the teenager with heart emojis despite the two having no prior contact.