Huw Edwards latest: Former BBC news presenter convicted of making indecent images of children

Huw Edwards was the BBC’s highest-paid news presenter and one of the broadcaster’s most recognisable faces as he led major national events including the announcement of the Queen’s death to the nation in 2022.

But his dramatic fall from grace began last July, when a newspaper published a shocking story about an unnamed BBC presenter accused of paying a young man for photographs.

Here’s how the scandal unfolded:

2023

April: The parents of a youngster contacted an unnamed police force following allegations Edwards paid thousands of pounds for sexually explicit images, but no criminality was identified.

May 19: The family complain to the BBC but become frustrated when he remains on air.

July 7: The Sun publishes a shock exclusive in which Edwards is not named but is referred to as “a familiar face known to millions”.

July 9: The BBC suspended the presenter and contacted the Metropolitan Police over the allegations.

July 12: Minutes after the Metropolitan Police said they did not believe an offence had been committed, Vicky Flind named her husband Edwards as the BBC star at the centre of the scandal, claiming he suffers from “serious mental health issues”.

November 8: Edwards is arrested for indecent images of children and released on bail, but this is not revealed to the public until July 2024. The BBC is informed of the suspended presenter’s arrest, but he remains on the payroll.

2024

February 27: The BBC apologises to the family of the young man at the centre of the initial allegations and a report reveals the need for “greater consistency” in how complaints are handled.

April 22: Edwards resigns from the BBC, saying his decision was made on the basis of “medical advice” after working for the broadcaster for 40 years.

June 26: He is charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, but the charges have not been made public.

July 23: It is revealed that Edwards was paid more than £475,000 by the BBC in the previous year before his resignation.

July 29: The charges against Edwards are made public.

July 31: He pleaded guilty to the offences at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.