The BBC has formally requested that Huw Edwards return the salary he received from the time of his arrest in November last year, following his admission of possessing indecent images of children.
In a statement, the corporation expressed its disappointment, stating that Edwards had “undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.” The statement emphasised the importance of public trust, noting: “There is nothing more important than the public’s trust in the BBC; the BBC Board is the custodian of that trust.”
The BBC Board has convened multiple times over the past week to review information provided by the Executive regarding the case. Their focus has centred on two key issues: firstly, what was known in the lead-up to Edwards being charged and pleading guilty last Wednesday to the offence of making indecent images of children, and secondly, the BBC’s handling of the complaints and its internal investigations into Edwards prior to his resignation on 22 April 2024.
The statement further outlined the Board’s decision: “Today, the Board has authorised the Executive to seek the return of salary paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November last year. Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime. Had he been upfront when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money. He has clearly undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.”
In addition, the Board announced the commissioning of an independent review to “make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC Values.”
