The BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, announced that the corporation is considering all options to recover pay from newsreader Huw Edwards, who was recently found to have accessed indecent images of children. Despite resigning in April due to medical reasons, Edwards was paid between £475,000 and £479,999, with a £40,000 pay increase in 2023-24.
Davie mentioned that recouping these payments, including Edwards’ pension, would be legally challenging. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport expressed concerns over the BBC’s handling of the situation and its use of license fee payers’ money.
Edwards, formerly the highest-paid newsreader at the BBC, admitted to three charges of making indecent photographs after being sent illegal images by a convicted paedophile. Although arrested in November 2023, news of his charges only surfaced recently. The BBC continued to employ him until April, and the Prime Minister expressed shock and dismay over the scandal.
The Metropolitan police instructed the BBC to keep details of Edwards’ arrest confidential. Legal experts noted that while the BBC could have dismissed Edwards upon his arrest, they chose to wait until he was charged to avoid potential risks.
The scandal involving Edwards follows previous controversies at the BBC, such as those surrounding Jimmy Savile and Tim Westwood. Savile, a former TV star, was revealed to be a serial sexual abuser posthumously, while Westwood faces allegations of sexual misconduct dating back decades.
Despite criticism, Davie defended Edwards’ pay rise, emphasizing the need to act fairly and proportionally. Edwards resigned from the BBC in April based on medical guidance, unrelated to the indecent image charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 16th.