Closed the investigation against Huw Edwards, the BBC presenter accused of buying sexual photographs of a minor

2023-07-12 20:32:47

The London Metropolitan Police has closed the investigation against Huw Edwards, the BBC presenter accused of buying sexual photographs of a minor and whose identity had remained secret until now. The journalist’s wife Vicky Flindhas been the one who has revealed the name of her husband shortly after the confirmation of the closure of the investigation. Flind has explained in a statement, published by the PA news agency, that her husband is receiving “care in a hospitalwhere it will remain for the foreseeable future” due to its “serious mental health problems”.

Some problems that had been dragging on for years and that have increased with the events of recent days. “I do this thinking mainly of your Mental Wellness and to protect our children”, explained the wife of the presenter, who has confirmed that he was aware of the accusations last Thursday, a day before the newspaper ‘The Sun’ reveal that he had allegedly purchased sexual photographs of a minor for three years for a total value of 35,000 pounds (more than 41,000 euros). The BBC has confirmed that it will continue its investigation, despite the police decision.

familiar face

Edwards, 61, was until now the host of the nightly news ‘BBC Ten O’Clock News’, the chain’s flagship program in that slot. In his long professional career, of more than 40 years, he had recounted historical events such as Elizabeth II’s death and funeral or the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. His identity was an open secret within the corporation, and many of his professional colleagues had asked in recent days that show your face to stop the damage that the scandal has done to the British public broadcaster.

Some of the people who have worked with him have shown their support after his name was revealed publicly. Among them the former BBC news chief, Tim Luckhurst, who has regretted that he has been involved in this scandal and who has highlighted his commitment and professionalism. “He is a man enormously generousa man who has done a lot to help others at the BBC in their careers, and who was always willing to work very hard”, he explained to the chain itself. Other colleagues have pointed out that Edwards represented the values ​​of the corporation and have trusted a future return once the internal investigation has been completed and their health problems have been resolved.

five days of scandal

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The coming to light of this case has caused a wave of criticism in recent days towards the main executives of the BBC, including the director general, Tim Davie, accused of not having acted correctly. The chain received a complaint from the mother denouncing the presenter on May 19, although the accusations have not been studied in depth until last Thursday. According to the version of the mother of the alleged victim, the sending of sexual photographs had allowed her to delve into her crack cocaine addiction. Some statements that were denied four days later by the minor’s lawyer, who described what was published in ‘The Sun’ as “trash”. According to the representative of the alleged victim, nothing happened. “illegal” or “inappropriate” between it and the presenter.

The mother’s accusations have been added in recent days those of three other people. One of them, a 20-year-old, has assured that she met Edwards through a dating application and that he sent her threatening messages after the young man threatened to reveal his identity publicly. Another person, aged 23, has accused him of break covid rules in 2021 to visit him at his home, where they met for an hour. None of these accusations have been formally investigated by the police, although the negative consequences on the BBC’s reputation and that of Edwards himself seem insurmountable for now.