The BBC said it has ‘confidence’ in its processes.
Former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards resigned from the broadcaster “without notice or financial settlement” during a confidential disciplinary process, the corporation has said.
The veteran broadcaster admitted having indecent images of children earlier this week, and the corporation was aware he was arrested on “suspicion of serious offences” in November 2023.
Last year, Edwards was named as the BBC presenter at the centre of allegations he paid a young person for sexually explicit photos and resigned from the BBC “on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.”
Police found no evidence of criminal behaviour in this separate matter.
A BBC spokesperson said: “In the case of Huw Edwards, we considered carefully all issues raised with us as part of a fact finding disciplinary investigation and that informed a confidential disciplinary process.
“During this period he chose to resign and did so with immediate effect—without notice or financial settlement.
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“We fully appreciate the complexities and confidentiality of this work can be frustrating for those who have come forward and shared their experiences, but we are extremely grateful to everyone who did so and will always listen with great care to anyone who wants to raise concerns with us.”
The BBC added that it has “confidence” in its processes.
It comes after two whistleblowers, one current and one former BBC worker, expressed disappointment that an internal inquiry into Edwards had not been made public after they alleged they received “inappropriate messages” from him.
Before Edwards resigned, he was the broadcaster’s highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023/24, according to the BBC’s latest annual report.
On Friday, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urged the disgraced newsreader to “return his salary” and asked the BBC to look into whether it can recoup an estimated £200,000, which Edwards earned during the period from his arrest until his resignation.
Nandy told Sky News that she has asked to see the employment law advice given to the BBC, and called for the corporation’s director-general Tim Davie to address “outstanding issues,” and come back to her next week.
The minister also said of Edwards: “I think he ought to return his salary.
“I think having been arrested on such serious charges all the way back in November, to continue to receive that salary all the way through until he resigned is wrong and it’s not a good use of taxpayers’ money.
Davie defended Edwards’ pay rise of £40,000 compared with 2022/23, when he was paid between £435,000 and £439,999.
He told BBC News it was made up of an “inflationary increase,” and work the veteran broadcaster did at the corporation in February 2023 before any allegations were made.
He said the corporation will “look at all options” in trying to reclaim pay from Edwards, but ruled out doing the same for his pension due to legal reasons.
Explaining the BBC’s decision not to go public with Edwards’ arrest, Davie said the corporation was following police advice.
Meanwhile, Edwards looks set to be stripped of the honorary degree he received from York St John University in 2019.
A statement from the university said: “In light of the outcome of legal proceedings on Wednesday July 31 2024, our Honorary Awards Committee has begun the process to review Huw Edwards’ honorary degree with a recommendation that it is rescinded.”
Elsewhere, a plaque at Cardiff Castle commemorating the opening of its Interpretation Centre has also been removed, along with an audio guide featuring Edwards’ voice.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: “The plaque on the Cardiff Castle Interpretation Centre has been removed and the audio guide discontinued. Cardiff Council is looking at options for a replacement narration.”
Edwards will next appear in court on Sept. 16.
