The BBC has issued the findings of a review it commissioned last year into the effectiveness of its non-editorial complaints policies and processes.
The decision to launch the assessment came after Huw Edwards' wife confirmed he was the BBC presenter alleged to have paid thousands to a teenager for sexual images from the age of 17, according to The Sun.
The assessment was spearheaded by BBC Group Chief Operating Officer Leigh Tavaziva alongside Deloitte under the direction of Simon Cuerden, a senior partner experienced in strategic reviews.
Tavaziva said of the assessment's findings: "I am very grateful for the diligence and care with which Deloitte have approached this review and for their thorough analysis. I would also like to extend my thanks to the BBC staff and complainants Deloitte interviewed for their contributions.
"Although our existing processes and systems are, on the whole, working effectively, this review shows that we need to join them up better to ensure no matter how a non-editorial complaint comes into the BBC it is escalated swiftly, when needed, and dealt with by the right people.
"Where the review identifies process improvements we accept those in full, and we are delivering on an action plan with a number of enhancements already in place.
The BBC apologised to the family at the centre of the Huw Edwards saga
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"The report identifies specific process shortcomings in the presenter case.
"The initial complaint in this case was not escalated quickly enough to senior management and we have apologised to the complainant for this."
The scandal broke when a family member turned to The Sun after claiming the BBC had not responded to a complaint about Edwards dating back to May 18, 2023.
The BBC didn't name Edwards after the allegations came to light but the newsreader's wife Vicky Flind confirmed he was the subject of the reports.
Flind said Edwards was "suffering from serious mental health issues" and was receiving "in-patient hospital care" following the publication of The Sun's report.
Flind's statement read: "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.
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Huw Edwards was a prominent figure on BBC News
PA"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."
Two police forces have said there has been no evidence Edwards committed a criminal offence.
