Naming of Huw Edwards ends speculation over BBC presenter’s identity
The naming of Huw Edwards as the presenter accused in the BBC sex photo scandal brings to an end five days of febrile and damaging speculation. But as one chapter of this twisting tale closes, others open.
Minutes before Mr Edwards’s wife Vicky Flind released a statement confirming her husband’s identity as the newreader, Scotland Yard said it had found no information to indicate a criminal offence and would be taking no further action.
The focus will now return to the BBC’s own efforts to establish what Mr Edwards may or may not have done and, crucially, whether his alleged actions were compatible with his BBC role.
But there will also be debate about the manner in which the allegations came to light.
The Sun newspaper insists its story was always in the public interest. Nevertheless, since publication, any wrongdoing has been denied by the young person concerned and Scotland Yard has now found no indication of criminality.
The reaction of many media figures last night was summed up by BBC presenter John Simpson: “I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself. Let’s hope the press leave them all alone now.”
Those BBC figures who had found themselves being dragged through the mire by being falsely named on social media can now breathe more easily.
But a household name who last year commendably went public about his depression finds himself in hospital after going public in a very different manner – and facing a very different future from any he could have contemplated just days ago.
