BBC issues statement after presenter Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children

The BBC has issued a statement after former news presenter Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children.

It was announced earlier this week that Edwards had been arrested in November 2023 in regards to alleged offences which are said to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022. He was charged on 26 July.

Earlier today (31 July) the ex-presenter, 62, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

During the hearing, Edwards admitted to being sent 41 indecent photographs by convicted paedophile Alex Williams.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told seven of the indecent images shared with the veteran broadcaster by Williams were of the most serious type.

The final indecent image was sent in August 2021, a category A film featuring a young boy, with the convicted paedophile telling the newsreader the child was 'quite young looking' and that he had more images which were illegal.

Following the hearing, the BBC has released a statement regarding the news saying the corporation had been made aware of his his arrest and would've dismissed the presenter had he been charged while under their employment.

Huw Edwards appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court today. (PA)

“The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today," a spokesperson said.

“There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.

“The police have confirmed that the charges are not connected to the original complaint raised with the BBC in the summer of 2023, nevertheless in the interests of transparency we think it important to set out some points about events of the last year.

“In November 2023, whilst Mr Edwards was suspended, the BBC as his employer at the time was made aware in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation.

"At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health.

Edwards had previously worked for the BBC for 40 years. (PA)

“Today we have learnt of the conclusion of the police process in the details as presented to the court.

"If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. "In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.

“During this period, in the usual way, the BBC has kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions. "We want to reiterate our shock at Mr Edwards’ actions and our thoughts remain with all those affected.”