Huw Edwards named as BBC presenter facing allegations as wife releases statement

In her statement, Vicky Flind said her husband Huw Edwards was “suffering from serious mental health issues” and is now “receiving in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future” as she asked for privacy for her family.

The Welsh journalist has been the main presenter on BBC News at Ten since 2003 and BBC News at Five since 2006.

The household name presenter was suspended by the BBC over accusations published in The Sun claimed he had paid £35,000 for explicit photos from an individual over a three-year period.

The Sun have since confirmed that it does not plan to publish any further allegations about Huw Edwards and will co-operate with the BBC's internal investigation.

A spokesperson for The Sun said: "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 have emerged in the past few days."

Sources have confirmed that Edwards has not resigned from the BBC.

Edwards is perhaps best known for his work presenting major royal events and announcements, including the Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla; death and state funeral of Elizabeth II; funeral of Prince Philip; wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; and wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

In 2019, Edwards took over from David Dimbleby to host BBC’s election night, having contributed to the coverage of the 2015 general election and 2016 EU referendum.

Edward's wife, Vicky Flind, 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.”

In the initial claim aired by the Sun, the mother of the alleged victim claimed alleged payments made by Edwards helped fund the now-20-year-old's crack cocaine habit.

Edwards has been the main presenter of the BBC News at Ten, and contributed towards Breakfast News, BBC News at One, Newsnight, and Panorama.

BBC INVESTIGATION:

• Huw Edwards receives outpour of support after police determine 'no information to indicate a criminal offence'
• BBC star 'extremely angry' following sex pic allegation, ex-colleague claims
• Jeremy Vine pleads BBC presenter under investigation to go public as 'innocent colleagues' targeted
• BBC scandal: Teenager, 17, claims presenter sent 'creepy' messages on Instagram
• BBC star 'broke lockdown rules' to meet young adult during Covid - damning fresh allegations
• BBC suspends 'male presenter' as broadcaster approaches police over sex pic allegation

Edwards led the BBC commentary team at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The presenter has won the BAFTA Cymru for Best Onscreen Presenter in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, and was nominated in 2012.

Huw Edwards was described as being “extremely angry” with the handling of the multiple allegations levied against him, by former colleague Jon Sopel.

Speaking on his ‘The News Agents’ podcast, the 64-year-old said: “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 the presenter at the heart of this is also extremely angry over a lot of The Sun coverage.”

Sopel has since said: "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 ⁦Huw Edwards well."

Since the original allegation was made, individuals have provided further accounts to the BBC regarding the presenter.

A young person has claimed to have the met BBC presenter on a dating app and alleges they were sent threatening and abusive messages when the person suggested they might reveal the presenter’s identity.

Another person claims to have met the unnamed presenter on a dating app and claims the presenter broke covid rules to go and meet this person during the third national lockdown in 2021.

A fourth person - alleged to be under 18 - claims the unnamed presenter sent unsolicited messages over a social media platform.

The BBC has released its own statement following the Met confirmation that there is no evidence of a criminal offence: “We have seen the statement from the police confirming they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. We’re grateful to them for completing this work at speed.

“The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.”

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 to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.”

John Simpson, legendary BBC World Affairs Editor, said: "I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself.

"No criminal offences were committed, so it’s a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved. Let’s hope the press leave them all alone now.