Huw Edwards has named his wife as the BBC presenter facing allegations of paying for sexually explicit images in a shocking statement issued on his behalf.
Vicky Flind said her husband, 61, had ‘severe mental health problems’ and was ‘now receiving inpatient hospital care where he will remain for the foreseeable future’ as she wanted privacy for her family.
At 6pm the BBC said Mr Edwards had resigned from his role but clarified shortly afterwards that he had not. Sources have since insisted that he has not left the corporation.
It comes as the Metropolitan Police this evening said the BBC presenter had committed no criminal offense after facing charges of paying for sexually explicit images.
The Sun newspaper reports that an unnamed BBC presenter allegedly paid a young man £35,000 over three years to take sexually explicit photos.
Mrs Flint said this evening: I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards in light of the recent reports about the ‘BBC presenter’, after five very difficult days for our family.
BBC anchor Huw Edwards has been named by his wife Vicky Flind as a BBC presenter facing allegations of payment for sexually explicit images.
In a statement released by Mr Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, she said he was caring for the patient in hospital
‘I am doing this primarily out of concern for her mental well-being and for the safety of our children.
Vicky Flind’s full statement:
Here is the full statement from Huw Edwards’ wife Vicki Flind:
I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards in light of recent reports about the ‘BBC presenter’, after five very difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for her mental well-being and for the safety of our children.
‘Huu suffers from serious mental health problems. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
‘The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another severe episode and is now receiving patient care in hospital where he will remain for the foreseeable future.
‘Once it’s enough to do that, he wants to respond to published stories.
‘To clarify Huw was first told that he had been charged last Thursday.
‘In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these disturbing events is respected.
‘I know that Huw is deeply saddened that so many colleagues have been affected by recent media speculation. We hope this statement will put an end to it.’
‘Huu suffers from serious mental health problems. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
‘The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another severe episode and is now receiving patient care in hospital where he will remain for the foreseeable future.
‘Once it’s enough to do that, he wants to respond to published stories.
‘To clarify Huw was first told that he had been charged last Thursday.
‘In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these disturbing events is respected.
‘I know that Huw is deeply saddened that so many colleagues have been affected by recent media speculation. We hope this statement will put an end to it.’
This comes as a fourth youth came forward today to air allegations about the presenter.
Yesterday he accused a second young man of sending abusive messages on a dating app.
A third young man then came forward to claim they met the presenter during the third national lockdown in 2021 when the BBC asked millions to follow the rules as part of its coverage of the pandemic.
And last night a fourth man came forward to claim he had sent them ‘horrific’ messages using love hearts and kisses on Instagram when he was 17 – although it is not known whether the presenter knew their ages at the time.
Mr Edwards, 61, is one of the corporation’s most high-profile newsreaders, being paid more than £430,000 on top of his current salary.
For more than 10 years he has presented on the flagship BBC News at Ten program and has gone on to report more than a dozen times since the allegations were first reported to the corporation on May 19.
Mr Edwards faced growing pressure from his colleagues to step forward after BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine called on the presenter to identify himself to prevent other BBC stars from being defamed.
Mr Vine said today: ‘He should come forward now. This new accusation will cause even more anger on his completely innocent colleagues. And the BBC, who I’m sure he loves, are on their knees about it.’
Meanwhile former BBC presenter John Sopel weighed in on the row yesterday afternoon – before a fourth person made their allegations – leaving the unnamed star ‘extremely angry’ at how the claims were covered.
The Met Police said in a statement this evening: ‘Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have now completed their assessment and have determined that there is no evidence that a criminal offense has been committed.
‘To reach this conclusion, they spoke to a number of parties, including the BBC and other police forces, including the alleged complainant and the alleged complainant’s family. No further police action thereafter. As such, the Met advised the BBC that it could continue its internal investigation.
‘We are aware of media reporting of further allegations against the same person.
“No specific details or information about these allegations have been sent to us and hence there is no police action at this time
‘Where evidence of crime or safeguarding matters are identified we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force.’
A BBC spokesman said: ‘We have seen the police statement saying they have completed their assessment and are not taking further action. We are grateful to them for completing this task quickly.
‘The police previously asked us to pause our fact-finding investigation and we will now proceed with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the information, while continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all concerned.’
More follows.