Huw Edwards accused of sending ‘flirtatious’ messages to BBC workers

Huw Edwards has been accused of sending inappropriate messages to BBC workers.

The newsreader was named yesterday because the presenter who had been suspended for allegedly paying £35,000 to a youngster in trade for sexually specific photographs.

According to Newsnight, one present BBC workers member claims they had been contacted on social media by Edwards, and the messages left them uncomfortable and feeling awkward.

Huw Edwards newest: BBC presenter ‘struggling critical psychological well being points’

The messages had been reportedly suggestive in nature, gave the impression to be flirtatious, and referred to his colleague’s look.

“There is a power dynamic that makes this inappropriate,” the workers member mentioned.

Another BBC worker alleged that Edwards had additionally despatched them a personal message on social media that commented on their look and gave them a “cold shudder”.

Meanwhile, somebody who used to work on the company – who had by no means met the newsreader – claimed they’d acquired late-night messages from Edwards that had been signed off with kisses.

The former worker informed BBC Newsnight that they felt this amounted to an abuse of energy.

Two of the three complainants mentioned they felt they might not report their allegations of inappropriate behaviour to BBC managers.

A BBC spokesperson informed Sky News: “We are communicating with staff and will continue to do so. We always treat the concerns of staff with care, and would always urge any staff members to speak to us if they have any concerns.

“We have clear processes for making complaints throughout the organisation, together with whistleblowing procedures ought to somebody want to take action anonymously.”

Huw Edwards in hospital

Allegations concerning the presenter had first been made by The Sun final Friday, however their id was not formally confirmed for 5 days.

They had been suspended by the BBC on Sunday – and in latest days, additional allegations have been made by plenty of different younger complainants.

Several different high-profile BBC hosts – together with Gary Lineker, Jeremy Vine, Rylan Clark and Nicky Campbell – had denied being concerned within the scandal as hypothesis grew on social media.

Yesterday, Huw Edwards was publicly named in a press release issued by his spouse Vicky Flind.

She mentioned her husband was affected by critical psychological well being points and is now receiving inpatient hospital care “where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future”.

Ms Flind mentioned the presenter intends to reply to the allegations as soon as he’s effectively sufficient to take action, including: “I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.”

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Her assertion got here shortly after the Metropolitan Police revealed there was “no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed”.

Scotland Yard mentioned it is going to be taking no additional motion, and an inner BBC investigation can now resume.

In a observe despatched to BBC workers, director-general Tim Davie mentioned it was a “difficult time for many” – and the company’s quick concern “is our duty of care to all involved”.

Turning to Vicky Flind’s assertion, he added: “It is a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public. At the heart of this are people and their families.”

But Mr Davie careworn that it is crucial for the BBC to proceed its investigation into the allegations which have been made.

“This remains a very complex set of circumstances,” he wrote. “As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.”

Read extra:
Who is Huw Edwards? Newsreader named at centre of scandal
‘An terrible and surprising episode’: Huw Edwards’ associates and colleagues react

Newspaper beneath scrutiny

The Sun, which initially printed the claims about Edwards final Friday, has mentioned it has “no plans to publish further allegations”.

In a press release, the media outlet mentioned it should now present BBC investigators with a confidential and redacted file containing “serious and wide-ranging” claims, together with from BBC personnel.

However, the newspaper is coming beneath scrutiny for deciding to publish the claims within the first place.

David Yelland, who was editor of The Sun from 1998 to 2003, tweeted: “I wish [Huw Edwards] well. The Sun inflicted terror on Huw despite no evidence of any criminal offence.

“This is not a BBC disaster, it’s a disaster for the paper. Huw’s privateness should now be revered. Social media additionally wants speedy reform.”

Jon Sopel, former North America editor of BBC News, referred to as the scandal “an awful and shocking episode” and mentioned the presenter’s “complicated private life” doesn’t “feel very private now”.

And Alastair Campbell, a former Downing Street head of communications, mentioned the presenter “is the perfect target for those who would undermine and indeed would like to destroy the BBC”.

But Adam Boulton, a former Sky News political editor, mentioned The Sun’s reporting “looks like it is in the legitimate public interest”.

He informed Sky’s Sophy Ridge: “Those on television who hold others to account for their behaviour have to be prepared to be held to account.

“A whole lot of careers ended a great distance wanting criminality as a result of it was felt that they had been bringing the organisation which they represented into disrepute.”

Boulton mentioned most individuals would see it as “fairly reprehensible” for a person in his 60s to pay massive quantities of cash to a teenager for illicit materials, and to cellphone the youth threatening them afterwards – claims which have been levelled in opposition to Edwards.

Ridge identified the younger particular person had denied this occurred, however Boulton mentioned they’re “clearly a very vulnerable person” with a “serious drug problem”.

Boulton argued that this made the younger particular person’s assertion much less dependable than what their mother and father had alleged in The Sun.

“I think this is behaviour which, if I’d done it or you’d done it, we’d be held to account by our employers,” he informed Ridge.