Huw Edwards would have been fired, says BBC

Huw Edwards would have been fired by the BBC if he was charged with making indecent images of children while employed by the broadcaster.

The 62-year-old newsreader pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court in London, and the BBC has now confirmed that it would have acted "immediately to dismiss him" if Edwards was charged over his "abhorrent behaviour".

A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today. There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.

"The police have confirmed that the charges are not connected to the original complaint raised with the BBC in the summer of 2023, nevertheless in the interests of transparency we think it important to set out some points about events of the last year."

The BBC confirmed that it was aware of Edwards' arrest in November 2023. However, the broadcaster noted that Edwards - who admitted to committing the three offences between December 2020 and August 2021 - "was no longer an employee of the BBC" by the time he was charged.

The spokesperson explained: "In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation.

"At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health.

"Today we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court. If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him.

"In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.

"During this period, in the usual way, the BBC has kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions.

"We want to reiterate our shock at Mr Edwards’ actions and our thoughts remain with all those affected."