Huw Edwards has been requested handy again the wage he was paid after his arrest.
The previous BBC newsreader, 62, pleaded responsible to 3 counts of creating indecent photos of kids however was nonetheless paid £200,000 for 5 months following his arrest in November final yr, and now the broadcaster has demanded that he return it.
An announcement from the BBC learn: “There’s nothing extra vital than the general public’s belief within the BBC; the BBC board is the custodian of that belief. The board has met quite a few instances during the last week to evaluation data supplied by the manager regarding Huw Edwards. The board’s focus has been principally round two points.
“Firstly, what was identified within the lead as much as Mr Edwards being charged and pleading responsible final Wednesday to creating indecent photos of kids; and, secondly, the specifics of the BBC’s dealing with of the complaints and the BBC’s personal investigations into MrEdwards, previous to his resignation on April 22 2024
“Right now, the Board has authorised the Government to hunt the return of wage paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November final yr.
“Mr Edwards pleaded responsible to an appalling crime.
“Had he been up entrance when requested by the BBC about his arrest, we’d by no means have continued to pay him public cash.
“He has clearly undermined belief within the BBC and introduced us into disrepute.”
The previous tv star entered his plea throughout a short look at Westminster Magistrates Courtroom in London on Wednesday (31.07.24) after being arrested final November and charged final month.
Edwards was charged with having a complete of 41 images on a WhatsApp chat, six class A photos – essentially the most critical classification of indecent photos – 12 class B photos and 19 class C.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022 and are separate from different claims that had been extensively publicised and investigated final yr.
A police spokesperson stated: “These allegations didn’t type a part of the matter which was thought of by police in July 2023. They had been investigated individually as a standalone case.”
It was introduced on Monday (29.07.24) that the 62-year-old broadcaster had been charged.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson stated: “Huw Edwards, 62, of South West London, has been charged with three offences of creating indecent photos of kids.
“The CPS authorised the fees after a Metropolitan Police investigation.
“Mr Edwards will seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom on Wednesday 31 July 2024.
“We remind all that proceedings are energetic, and the defendant has the fitting to a good trial.
“This can be very vital that there must be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of data on-line which may in any manner prejudice these proceedings.”
After the information broke, it was reported Edwards had break up from spouse Vicky Flind – with whom he has 5 youngsters – and has moved out of their household house.
Edwards joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984 and fronted the ‘Six O’Clock Information’ from 1994 to 2003 earlier than changing into the primary presenter of BBC One’s flagship ‘Ten O’Clock Information’.
The veteran broadcaster famously broke the information to the nation after Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022 and in addition led protection of each her funeral and that of Prince Philip, in addition to being lead presenter for King Charles’ coronation final Could.
The time period ‘making indecent photos’ can embody opening, accessing, downloading and storing content material, or receiving a picture by way of social media, even when unsolicited or a part of a gaggle.
The offences can carry a jail time period of as much as 10 years.