BBC boss says 'it was a shock' as he speaks out over Huw Edwards' 'double life'

Former BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards arriving at Westminster Magistrates' Court
-Credit: (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)


BBC chairman Samir Shah has admitted that disgraced ex-newsreader Huw Edwards 'damaged' the reputation of the corporation. Mr Shah said he was 'shocked' to find out that Edwards had been charged by police over child abuse images.

He said Edwards lead a 'double life' and 'did the most appalling things'. Staff who worked alongside the sex offender feel 'angry and betrayed', Mr Shah said.

His comments came as he and director-general Tim Davie were questioned before the House of Lords' Communications and Digital Committee on their future strategy. They were also quizzed on the BBC's funding model amid a decline in licence fee payers.

READ MORE: The simple car check that can save money on fuel and avoid £10,000 fine

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

Mr Shah told the committee: "There's nothing more important than public trust in the BBC, and we are custodians of that trust and what Huw Edwards did damaged the reputation and the trust for BBC so we take that very seriously indeed. I should say, it was a shock to discover, when it was announced, when he was charged, that he had led this double life.

"On the face of it, a trusted news presenter, but hidden, secretly, he was this figure who did the most appalling things. I mean, let's never forget the victims." Mr Shah said he 'knew' Edwards as he had overseen current affairs at the BBC decades ago.

The BBC previously admitted it continued to employ Edwards for about five months until he left on medical advice despite being informed that he had been arrested last November.

He continued to be paid a salary during this period, which the BBC has been attempting to get back. Mr Shah added: "I asked him, as Tim, to give me an account of the decisions they took in the course of that year.

"We then reviewed those decisions, and we believe, as Tim has said, and we said in our statement that the decisions Tim and his team took were made in good faith. These were very complicated decisions, and given the evidence available to them at the time, they made reasonable decisions based on the evidence.

"So we supported it, and we continue to support it." Mr Davie also gave an update on recovering the estimated £200,000 in pay from Edwards.

Mr Davie said: "We've made the formal request, and I can't go into too much detail, but discussions are under way, but I've got no further news, apart from the BBC's position is clear, the money should be returned, and we made the request." When asked if he set a deadline, he said: "I don't believe we set a deadline... but we do expect to make progress and get an answer."

Mr Davie also said the BBC will 'explore' the legal process if Edwards refuses. Edwards, 63, admitted in July to having indecent images of children - with seven of the 41 photographs being of the most serious type.

He resigned from the corporation in April. During his four decades at the BBC, Edwards was among the broadcasting teams leading coverage of historic events including the late Queen's funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of the King in May 2023.

Edwards also announced the late Queen's death on the BBC in September 2022.