Clive Myrie solemnly last night presented BBC News At 10 in place of Huw Edwards to report on the star’s sex pictures scandal.
The presenter reiterated that the lead anchor had ‘not resigned’ from the Corporation after he was revealed to be the previously unnamed presenter accused of paying tens of thousands of pounds for explicit photographs from a teenager.
In a statement released just minutes after the Met Police said it was no longer investigating the allegations against the longstanding presenter, Mr Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind confirmed he was involved in the scandal adding he had been hospitalised after ‘suffering from serious mental health issues’.
In the hours that followed three BBC employees, two current and one former, came forward claiming the broadcaster had sent ‘inappropriate and suggestive messages’, with one adding they ‘felt it was an abuse of power’.
Sitting in the seat that Mr Edwards has occupied for more than a decade, Mr Myrie said this evening: ‘He is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, anchoring national and international events often from this very chair.
‘But tonight, Huw Edwards, the lead anchor of the BBC’s News at Ten, has been revealed as the man at the centre of allegations over the payment of thousands of pounds to a young person for explicit pictures.’
Huw Edwards faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour from his own BBC colleagues, with one claiming ‘ they felt it was an abuse of power’
Clive Myrie solemnly presented BBC News At 10 last night
Mr Myrie said the presenter was receiving in-patient hospital care after suffering ‘a serious mental health episode’ after ‘five extremely difficult days’ after the allegations first emerged in The Sun newspaper.
He summarised parts of the lengthy statement released by Ms Flind where she said the ‘father-of-five’ will receive treatment ‘for the foreseeable future’, adding that ‘Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation’.
Those watching the Ten O’Clock News this evening suggested on social media that Mr Myrie had ‘tears in his eyes’ and ‘looked upset when reporting about Huw Edwards.
The developments mark what have been a remarkable five days of speculation after the first allegation accusing Mr Edwards of paying £35,000 to a ‘vulnerable teenager’ in return for explicit photos reared its head.
A further three claims allegations were made which included breaking stay-at-home lockdown rules to meet another young person, sending messages to a 17-year-old with love hearts and kisses and sending threatening messages to a person in their early twenties who he met on a dating app.
Both the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police both said this evening that no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter. The BBC had paused its internal probe into the claims Mr Edwards paid the teenager for explicit pictures – and that investigation will now continue.
This evening, Mr Edwards’ own organisation, however, reported that allegations were also being made from colleagues.
The glassy-eyed presenter reiterated that the lead anchor had ‘not resigned’ from the Corporation on BBC News at 10
Those watching the Ten O’Clock News this evening suggested on social media that Mr Myrie had ‘tears in his eyes’ and ‘looked upset when reporting about Huw Edwards
Speaking on Newsnight, BBC special correspondent Lucy Manning, said that staff members at the Corporation ‘received what they believed are inappropriate messages, that they’d received on social media’ – but had not officially complained to the organisation.
Ms Manning said the individual had claimed the interaction had left them feeling ‘awkward’ and ‘uncomfortable’, before confirming ‘we have seen those messages, which refer to the BBC staff member’s appearance, and they do appear to be flirtatious.’
Earlier it was reported that one of three colleagues had felt the interactions were ‘an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation’.
In relation to the latest assertions, a BBC spokesperson said ‘We are communicating with staff and will continue to do so.
‘We always treat the concerns of staff with care, and would always urge any staff members to speak to us if they have any concerns.
‘We have clear processes for making complaints within the organisation, including whistleblowing procedures should someone wish to do so anonymously.’
Edwards was named after a number of BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the star at the centre of the scandal. Mr Vine had urged his colleague to name themselves to protect colleagues and the BBC. Mr Campbell went to the police to report people who named him online and threatened to sue them.
Ms Flind’s statement was released at 6pm, however, there was confusion as the BBC first said Mr Edwards, who recently led coverage of the Queen’s death and King Charles’ Coronation, had resigned from his role as their top newsreader.
It comes hours after the BBC Anchor was named by his wife Vicky Flind as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images
Just minutes after his wife revealed his identity, the BBC reported that colleagues within the organisation had come forward with allegations claiming that the presenter had sent ‘inappropriate messages to them’
Edwards (pictured working outside Downing Street) was named after a number of BBC stars including Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine were forced to publicly deny they were the star at the centre of the scandal
But minutes later the corporation clarified that he had not quit. Sources close to the star have since stressed that he has not left his job.
His wife’s statement said this evening in a statement: ‘In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.
‘I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.
‘Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. 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 serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.
‘Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.’
She said that Mr Edwards was first told of the allegations being made against him 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 upsetting events is respected’, the presenter’s wife added.
‘I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.’
Mr Edwards, 61, is one of the corporation’s most high-profile newsreaders, being paid over £430,000 on his current salary.
He was presented the flagship BBC News at Ten programme for more than 10 years, and continued to report more than a dozen times since the claims were allegedly first reported to the corporation on May 19.
READ IN FULL: Statement from Vicky Flind about her husband Huw Edwards
Here is the statement in full from Vicky Flind, wife of Huw Edwards:
‘In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.
‘Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. 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 serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.
‘Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.
‘To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him 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 upsetting events is respected.
‘I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.’
