Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has confessed to creating indecent images of children.
The 62-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a dark blue suit, blue tie, and dark sunglasses, admitting to three offences committed between December 2020 and April 2022, per Sky News.
Edwards possessed 41 images on WhatsApp, categorized as seven category A, 12 category B, and 22 category C.
The Metropolitan Police arrested him last November, with charges filed on June 26. The term "making" includes activities such as opening, accessing, downloading, and storing images.
Category A images are the most severe, involving penetrative sexual activity, sexual activity with animals, or sadism. Category B images involve non-penetrative sexual activity, while category C images do not depict sexual activity.
Edwards was a prominent BBC presenter, known for hosting News At Ten for 20 years and covering major events like Queen Elizabeth II's death and funeral. Before resigning in April, he was the highest-paid newsreader, earning between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023/24.
It was Edwards' wife, Vicky Flind, who identified her husband as the man at the center of the allegations last year.
She said he had been suffering from "serious mental health issues" and was receiving treatment in hospital.
Here is the statement in full (via BBC):
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.
.jpg_jQaeK2?tr=h-40)
.jpg_EK1U29?tr=h-40)
.jpg_jQaeK2?tr=h-184)
.jpg_EK1U29?tr=h-184)
