BBC’s Huw Edwards investigation ‘could end in reprimand, dismissal, or reputational rehabilitation’
BBC staff have said the broadcaster must pursue its investigation into Huw Edwards, as insiders warned that further allegations about the star’s conduct could emerge.
Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind said the presenter was in hospital with “serious mental health issues” as she named him as the well known figure accused of inappropriate conduct with young people, including paying for sexually explicit images.
Friends rallied round Edwards, with former BBC colleague Jon Sopel saying the News at Ten anchor felt “very angry” and “let down” by the coverage of allegations against him, including reports on the BBC.
Following Flind’s announcement on Wednesday night, BBC News reported that two current BBC workers and one former member of staff said they had been sent messages that made them feel uncomfortable.
One employee said they received unsolicited “suggestive” messages from Edwards. One said they felt it was an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation.
The claims were reported in depth on Newsnight, where lead presenter Victoria Derbyshire had begun looking into suggestions of potential misconduct in the workplace by Edwards before The Sun broke its photos story last Friday, BBC sources said.
One staffer said: “People who may have felt reluctant to make a complaint about a big name could now come forward. It’s important that the BBC resumes its own investigation and looks at any misconduct in the workplace.”
A group of BBC journalists including special correspondent Lucy Manning have been chasing down leads on Edwards since The Sun ran its initial story.
Their reports, including claims that the presenter sent “threatening and abusive” messages to a young person he met on a dating app, will be considered by the BBC’s internal investigation, set to resume now police have cleared Edwards of any criminal wrongdoing.
The BBC said its investigation will focus on “fact-finding” and consider allegations of possible workplace misconduct while “continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved”.
No timescale has been given for the investigation, with Edwards expected to remain suspended until the investigators report. He is expected to be spoken to for the investigation when his health allows him to.
The investigation is expected to examine whether any behaviour may have breached the terms of his contract or brought the BBC into disrepute.
Whether Edwards, the trusted voice of the BBC at national events, is able to return to screens when he recovers, will depend on the outcome.
Katie Razzall, BBC Culture Editor, said: “He is in an internal corporate BBC process, but without having seen the evidence we can’t judge. It could end in a reprimand. It could end in dismissal. It could end in reputational rehabilitation.”
In a memo to staff, BBC director-general Tim Davie invited anyone with “information to pass on” to the investigation to contact an email address.
Mr Davie and acting BBC chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens will be questioned in Parliament about the corporation’s leadership during the furore next week.
The Lords Communications Committee hearing on Tuesday will ask: “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.”
One former BBC staffer criticised Mr Davie’s handling of the situation.
They questioned why he had not spoken to Edwards directly about the complaint against him, leaving the task to a “senior manager” in the News department, when The Sun told the broadcaster it planned to run a front page story.
They pointed out that Mr Davie had been in direct contact with Gary Lineker when he was taken off air for posting tweets that were critical of the Government’s immigration policy – a much less serious situation.
“He’s got his priorities all wrong,” they told i. “If this complaint had been handled properly in the first place, the whole thing wouldn’t have played out this badly.”
Sources said Mr Davie would not have been able to contact Edwards once he was aware of his medical situation.
Mr Davie said he had not spoken to the presenter directly but it was his job to “balance between privacy, duty of care, and a very serious allegation” and the BBC had “excellent processes to protect people”.
The BBC said: “We always treat the concerns of staff with care, and would urge anyone to speak to us if they have any concerns. We have clear processes for making complaints.”
Edwards has not responded to the allegations made against him. His wife has asked for privacy and said her husband will address the issues raised when his health improves.
