London police see no evidence of crime in the recent BBC TV presenter scandal. This was announced by Scotland Yard on Wednesday evening. The newsreader, whose name initially remained unpublished, was accused of having received intimate photos and videos over a long period of time from a person who was underage at the time in return for payment of large sums of money. The tabloid had it Sun reported with reference to the person’s parents. However, a lawyer later disagreed on behalf of the alleged victim, calling the allegations “rubbish”.
The issue has dominated UK news for the weekend. The pressure on the BBC to make the presenter’s name public grew daily, including from within its own ranks. There was wild speculation on social media about who it could be. It is now known that it is Huw Edwards, one of the most prominent newscasters in Great Britain.
Huw Edwards is known as a BBC presenter. After the allegations became known, he was suspended and is currently in a hospital.
(Photo: James Manning/AP)
Allegations were also made against the BBC that the public broadcaster reacted far too late and did not take the parents’ advice seriously. Other young adults reported in media reports that they had been in contact with the moderator via dating apps. However, nothing relevant under criminal law could be identified at first. There were no reports or tips to the police, the police statement said.
The BBC suspended the moderator after the allegations became known. The conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also intervened and called for the allegations to be clarified quickly. The BBC had announced that it would suspend its own internal investigation while the police were investigating the case. Scotland Yard has now said the BBC can continue its investigation.
Meanwhile, Edward’s wife, Vicky Flind, to the public. She cited concern for his mental health and the protection of her children after “five extremely difficult days for our family” as the reason for the step. She hopes the media speculation will now come to an end, she wrote in a statement to the British news agency PA. Edwards is currently in a hospital because he is mentally unwell. However, he wants to comment on the allegations as soon as he is able to do so again. The BBC wants to work up the case in-house.