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Huw Edwards resigns from the BBC on “medical advice” following scandal as statement issued

The scandal broke out last year

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Following the Huw Edwards scandal, he has resigned from the BBC as the corporation issued a statement.

In February, it emerged that the BBC had apologised to the family of a young person for its handling of their complaint – originally lodged last May – about newsreader Edwards. In July last year, Edwards was named as the presenter suspended for allegedly paying thousands to a teenager in exchange for sexually explicit images.

His wife Vicky Flind later said her husband had suffered “from serious mental health issues” and would receive “in-patient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future”.

On Monday, The BBC announced Huw has resigned from the corporation on “medical advice”.

Huw Edwards reporting for the BBC
The scandal broke out last year (Credit: BBC)

Huw Edwards resigns amid scandal

The BBC said in a statement: “Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC. After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.

“The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further.”

It comes weeks after the family of the young person at the centre of the scandal spoke out.

Speaking to The Sun, the woman said: “We’ve suffered immense pain and it has taken nearly a year which has left me broken. If the BBC had handled the complaint properly, we would have not had to go through this hell.”

They said they feel they had been “ripped apart as a family”.

According to the BBC, allegations about Edwards’ behaviour became lodged in May 18, 2023. However, the claims didn’t reach senior managers until July 6.

The BBC said the complaint wasn’t “escalated quickly enough”. The company has changed its processes.

The corporation said it had already made improvements to its non-editorial complaints process but had further plans for “greater consistency” across teams.

Huw Edwards smiling at event
The mother of the young person at the centre of the complaint has hit out (Credit: Shutterstock)

It also insisted it would make better use of technology to ensure “a complete picture of all cases”.

Speaking to The Sun, the mother of the young person said of the independent report: “It’s a relief this independent report backs up what we’ve said all along — the BBC simply failed to take this seriously. If anything, this underlines how vital it is we get answers, for everyone’s sake.”

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BBC apology

Elsewhere in the report, some employees admitted that they would feel “nervous about raising a complaint” with the BBC – especially if it related to “another member of staff or talent” with a “perceived power discrepancy between the complainant and the subject of the complaint”.

Read more: All the celebrities who sent support to Huw Edwards amid scandal

In July last year, Edwards’ wife Vicky said he would respond to the allegations when well enough.

So what do you think of this story? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

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