BBC continues ‘fact-finding investigations’ after Huw Edwards is named by wife
The BBC is continuing their "fact-finding investigations" after Huw Edwards was named as the suspended presenter by his wife Vicky Flind.
On Wednesday night, Huw's wife issued a statement as she named him as the presenter accused of allegedly sending a young person over £35,000 in exchange for sexually explicit images.
The presenter's wife said in the statement Huw has been suffering from serious mental health issues and is now receiving in-patient hospital care.
Vicky's statement came as Metropolitan Police also announced no criminal offence had been committed following a review of the accusations.
"Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their assessment and have determined there is no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed," the Met's own statement read.
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However, the BBC said it will continue its "fact finding investigations" after the corporation was told to put it on hold at the Met's request while it carried out its own enquiries, which have since come to an end.
A spokesperson for the corporation said: "We will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved."
Huw Edwards was named as the suspended presenter by his wife (AFP via Getty Images)BBC Director-General Tim Davie said in a note to staff that it is "important" that the work on the internal investigation continues.
The note from the BBC boss read: "It is important we now continue with this work.
"I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process."
The investigations come as BBC Newsnight reported new claims from one current and one former BBC worker, who said they had received "inappropriate messages" from the suspended presenter, "some late at night and signed off with kisses".
Both people said there was "a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of high-profile colleagues in case it adversely affected their careers," the programme said.
Huw's wife Vicky said in her statement yesterday that he was "being treated in hospital for serious mental health issues" and will be receiving care "for the foreseeable future".
He will be 'responding to the stories that have been published' once he recovers.
The full statement read: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the 'BBC Presenter' I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.
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"I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.
"Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
The BBC are continuing its 'fact-finding investigations' (Getty Images)"The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he'll stay for the foreseeable future.
"Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.
"To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.
"In the circumstances and given Huw's condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.
"I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation.
"We hope this statement will bring that to an end."
Earlier this week, the young person at the centre of the first allegations, who is now 20, said via his lawyer that the claims were "rubbish".In a letter to the BBC, the lawyer wrote: "For the avoidance of doubt, nothing inappropriate or unlawful has taken place between our client and the BBC personality and the allegations reported in the Sun newspaper are 'rubbish.'"
The letter from the lawyer also said that the young person sent a denial to the newspaper on Friday evening via WhatsApp, in which they said the allegation was "totally wrong and there was no truth to it".
A spokesperson for The Sun said: "We have reported a story about two very concerned parents who made a complaint to the BBC about the behaviour of a presenter and the welfare of their child. Their complaint was not acted upon by the BBC. We have seen evidence that supports their concerns. It’s now for the BBC to properly investigate."
*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]
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