Huw Edwards
The BBC has asked former presenter Huw Edwards to return the $225,000 salary he received while suspended after his arrest last November on charges of creating indecent images of children.
Edwards, once a prominent face on UK television, pleaded guilty last month to three charges and now faces a prison sentence ranging from 12 months to 10 years.
In a statement released Friday, the BBC Board expressed deep disappointment in Edwards, stating that he “undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.” The board emphasized that if Edwards had been honest about his arrest when questioned by the BBC, the broadcaster would not have continued paying him public money during his suspension.
The broadcaster first learned of Edwards’ arrest in November 2023, at which point he was suspended. However, Edwards remained on the payroll for five more months before leaving the BBC in April 2024, after 40 years of service. During his suspension, he received a salary of around £200,000 ($255,000), which has caused public outrage since the BBC is funded by a license fee paid by UK households that watch live television.
The BBC’s board has authorized its executive team to seek the return of the salary paid to Edwards after his arrest. However, the statement did not specify whether the broadcaster would pursue legal action if Edwards refuses to return the money.
In addition to seeking the return of Edwards’ salary, the BBC announced an independent review of its workplace culture. This decision comes in the wake of the scandal involving Edwards, who had been one of the BBC’s most trusted presenters, known for covering major events such as the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Edwards’ legal troubles began when police, during an unrelated investigation, seized a phone that contained evidence of his involvement in a WhatsApp conversation related to indecent images of children. Edwards has not publicly commented on the allegations since his suspension.
The BBC, which has built its reputation on public trust, has been shaken by several scandals in recent years. These scandals have revealed that some of the broadcaster’s biggest names were involved in serious criminal activities, including sexual offenses. The situation with Edwards adds to the growing concerns about the integrity and accountability of the BBC.