BBC Apologises For ‘Shortcomings’ In Handling Huw Edwards Complaint

BBC leaders were grilled in Parliament about the “adequacy” of the corporation’s governance arrangements following the Edwards furore. (Press Association via AP Images)

The BBC apologised to the parents of a teenager over its slow response to a complaint about News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards, a prominent presenter accused of paying their son for sexually explicit photos.

In July 2023 by The Sun newspaper reported a BBC newsreader allegedly paid an individual “more than £35,000 since they were 17 in return for sordid images.” The story came after an initial complaint by the individual’s family was made in May 2023 but received no response.

Soon after the revelations, Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, named him as the presenter in question and that he was suspended, pending internal investigation. His wife further announced, at a later date, that Edwards was admitted to hospital with “serious mental health issues” after suffering “a serious episode.”

Director General Tim Davie then initiated two inquiries – one scrutinising the BBC’s complaints handling procedures, the results of which were released Tuesday, and another aimed at investigating Edwards’ conduct.

The review found that the broadcaster’s initial inaction resulted in a delayed response, with senior management only finding out about the allegations on July 6, one day before The Sun published its report.

BBC Group Chief Operations Officer Leigh Tavaziva said Tuesday’s report found “specific process shortcomings” in the complaint made to the corporation about Edwards and that the “case was not escalated quickly enough to senior management.”

Tavaziva said that the broadcaster had apologised to the complainant for its failure to act promptly.

The separate investigation into Edwards’ conduct is ongoing.