Huw Edwards' TV pals demand his return to BBC and public want him back on screen
Mirror readers have come out in support of Huw Edwards as he battles mental health problems over the sexual pictures scandal.
In an exclusive poll, 53% said they want to see him back on the BBC News at Ten if he is cleared by bosses of serious wrongdoing, while only 32% felt he should not be allowed to continue.
Among 45 to 64-year-olds, more than 60% backed his return from suspension over the allegations. A large number of Edwards’ colleagues also want him to be reinstated as the bulletin’s anchorman. But while there was good news for him in the Daily Mirror’s Survation poll, the BBC did not fare so well.
Of those quizzed, 51% said the broadcaster had handled the situation “quite badly” or “very badly”. Only 7% said they had dealt with it “very well”. Edwards is facing no police action over claims that he paid £35,000 to a teenager for explicit images, and the person in question, now 20, has insisted the host has done nothing illegal.
The majority of Mirror readers want to see Huw Edwards back on their TV screens (BBC)On the day it was revealed Edwards, 61, was admitted to hospital, BBC’s Newsnight reported claims from one current and one former worker, who said they had received “inappropriate messages” from him, “some late at night and signed off with kisses”. Both alleged there was “a reluctance among junior staff to complain to managers about the conduct of their high-profile colleagues, in case it adversely affected their careers.
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But there is a growing feeling that the reporting about Edwards, and various allegations, had gone too far too soon. Many staff feel complaints should have been handled by the HR department, rather than being made to Newsnight and then reported on screen. Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel, 64, said: “I have been contacted by a surprisingly large number of staff – some senior, very senior, some junior – about how distraught they were at some of the BBC coverage.
“They’ve tried to raise it with bosses and their complaints fell on deaf ears. I think there has been considerable disquiet over the way the coverage has unfolded on the BBC in the past 24, 48 hours. Senior managers in news, do they not have the duty of care and responsibility that Tim Davie, the director general, was talking about?
“Huw is employed by BBC News. So for the managers to say, ‘Well, no, we’re just interested in the journalism and we’re not interested in the duty of care...’ It’s just Alice in Wonderland. It’s very difficult to make sense of.”
Sopel added that there almost seemed to be “gusto, almost glee” with which some people in BBC News were doing their own investigations into Edwards. He said: “To try to bring down somebody who only a week ago was presenting BBC News coverage. There is this weirdness.”
Emily Maitlis, 52, branded the BBC’s reporting of the allegations “a bit distasteful”. The former Newsnight host said: “If you know this stuff about a colleague, why isn’t your first duty to then go to HR or a senior manager, rather than turning it into a news story? You are in a weird place if the way you raise a concern about a colleague is not through HR or a complaints process, but by breaking a story about them because they’re famous.”
Newsnight’s coverage has split the BBC, with some calling it “appalling” but others praising its bravery in tackling an issue about a colleague. A staff meeting for all on the show was held yesterday where the executive producer reiterated his commitment to investigate anything regardless of the subject.
It is understood senior bosses are not placing any restrictions on the programme-makers and are allowing them to continue “as per normal, without fear or favour”. Others in the media to come out in support of Edwards include Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, 53.
Huw's wife Vicky shared a statement on his behalf on WednesdayHe tweeted: “I don’t know about you but if there is no serious criminality, abuse of power or corruption, the private lives of public figures are of no concern to me.” The BBC have declined to comment on any comeback for Edwards as they have an ongoing inquiry into his conduct, which includes the complaints made by staff members.
But a report on its news website this week stated that there were three options available to bosses at the end of the internal investigation. It said: “It could end in a reprimand. It could end in dismissal. It could end in reputational rehabilitation.”
Edwards was named by his wife Vicky Flind on Wednesday as the man at the centre of the sexual images allegations, said to have taken place over three years. She said: “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.
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“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.”
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch
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