BBC demands Huw Edwards return more than £200,000 in wages after arrest over child abuse images

The BBC has officially asked Huw Edwards to return more than £200,000 of his salary following his arrest and subsequent guilty plea on charges relating to child abuse images.

The company’s board said Edwards “acted in bad faith” by continuing to accept payments after his arrest, which took place in November last year.

Edwards, a prominent presenter, was suspended in July 2023 after allegations surfaced that he paid a young person for sexually explicit images. The situation escalated when South Wales Police discovered 37 indecent images of children on a WhatsApp account linked to Edwards, including seven in the most serious category, Category A.

In a statement released on Friday, the BBC’s board criticized Edwards for bringing the organization into “disrepute” and undermining public confidence. The board emphasized that if Edwards had disclosed his arrest at the time, he would not have received any public funds.

BBC director general Tim Davie, who last week confirmed the organization was aware of Edward’s arrest for possession of the footage, has received support from the board for his handling of the case. However, the situation has sparked a wider discussion about the culture within the BBC, particularly around power imbalances and staff protection.

Culture Minister Lisa Nandy joined the BBC in calling for the money to be returned, stressing the importance of public confidence in the company. She also welcomed an independent inquiry into the organisation’s culture following the Edwards case, stressing that BBC staff should feel safe and confident that their concerns will be addressed fairly and decisively.

The BBC’s internal response to the revelations was marked by great anger. BBC chairman Samir Shah expressed his dismay in a letter to staff, saying Edwards had “breached the trust of staff and our audiences in the most egregious way.” Shah described Edward’s actions as a “shock” and acknowledged the challenges the company’s executives faced in dealing with the complex situation.

While the BBC’s demand for the return of Edwards’ salary is primarily a moral stance, the corporation has not ruled out possible legal action to recover the money. The issue also highlights the need for clearer protocols regarding the suspension of employees under investigation and the management of their compensation during such periods.

The fallout from this scandal is likely to have a lasting impact on the BBC as it struggles to rebuild public trust and ensure it maintains the highest standards of behavior within its ranks.