BBC Director-General Provides Update on Huw Edwards
The BBC chairman, Samir Shah, addressed concerns about the disgraced former newsreader, Huw Edwards, during a recent session with the House of Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee. The director-general, Tim Davie, and Mr. Shah discussed the corporation’s future strategy and funding model amidst a decline in license fee payers. Mr. Davie confirmed ongoing efforts to recover around £200,000 in pay from Edwards, who pleaded guilty in July to charges related to indecent images of children.
“There’s nothing more important than public trust in the BBC, and we are custodians of that trust and what Huw Edwards did damaged the reputation and the trust for the BBC so we take that very seriously indeed…”
– Samir Shah, BBC Chairman
Mr. Shah expressed shock upon learning about Edwards’ double life, emphasizing the impact on both the BBC’s reputation and the victims involved. Despite the challenging decisions made in the past, based on the evidence available at the time, Mr. Shah affirmed their support for the actions taken by Mr. Davie and his team. The BBC was made aware of Edwards’ arrest in November, yet he continued to be employed for several months until his resignation in April. Discussions are ongoing to retrieve the salary paid to Edwards during this period.
“We’ve made the formal request… the money should be returned…”
– Tim Davie, BBC Director-General
Mr. Davie highlighted the BBC’s stance on the matter and stated that progress is expected in recovering the funds. Should Edwards refuse, legal actions will be explored. With regards to future incidents, Mr. Davie mentioned the potential for swifter actions such as dismissal before charges are laid, emphasizing the need for balance and sensitivity in such situations. Acknowledging the challenges faced, Mr. Davie proposed a reflective approach to examine learnings from the experience.
During his tenure at the BBC, Edwards contributed significantly to coverage of major events, including the late Queen’s funeral in 2022 and the King’s coronation in May 2023. The BBC expressed intentions to review its policies concerning employee payments during suspensions. This incident has prompted a reevaluation of protocols within the organization to ensure swift and appropriate actions in similar circumstances.