He was the trusted, reliable face of BBC News but lived a double life behind closed doors.
The former BBC News at Ten presenter, who covered major state events such as Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, pleaded guilty yesterday to three charges of making indecent images of children and can now face up to 10 years in prison.
Edwards, 62, was suspended from his senior role in November 2023 after the BBC informed him “in confidence” that he had been “arrested on suspicion of a serious offence”.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court has now heard that Edwards admitted taking seven indecent images of category A children (the worst category), plus 12 category B images and 22 category C images. These include two videos of boys believed to be between seven and nine years old.
In a statement, the Metropolitan police said Edwards, who was charged on June 26, was caught by chance during an investigation into convicted paedophile Alex Williams.
Officers launched an investigation into Edwards after examining phones linked to Williams’ case. It was then that South Wales Police learned that Edwards, a father of five, had been involved in disturbing WhatsApp conversations full of child abuse images.
A Metropolitan police spokesman told Mail Online: “The investigation into Huw Edwards was launched in November 2023 after we received information from South Wales Police.
“An examination of mobile phones seized by South Wales police officers as part of a fully independent investigation revealed that Edwards had taken part in WhatsApp conversations.
There was no link between this investigation and the matters considered in July 2023. Another person has been charged in relation to messages shared on WhatsApp. He is Alex Williams (25) from Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Williams was investigated by South Wales Police and pleaded guilty to seven charges.
Williams was given a 12-month suspended sentence at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on 15 March after pleading guilty to possession of category A, B and C images, and possession of images. Distributing prohibited images of children.
The Sentencing Council defines category A images as images that contain penetrative sexual acts, sexual acts with animals or sadism. Category B images refer to images that contain non-penetrative sexual acts, while Category C images are explicit images that do not fit into either Category A or B.
The court heard that Edwards was involved in WhatsApp conversations over WhatsApp with an adult male between December 2020 and August 2021.
The man sent 377 sexual images, 41 of which were indecent images of children. During this period, Edwards hosted coverage of the funeral of the late Duke of Edinburgh, as well as presenting a broadcast from Windsor Castle on the eve of the funeral entitled “In Memory of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh”.
Philip Evans KC, defending Mr Edwards in court yesterday, said: “There is no evidence in this case that Mr Edwards … created images in the traditional sense. He made it clear that Mr Edwards “did not retain any images, did not send any to anyone else and did not transmit or search for similar images from elsewhere”.
Mr Evans also stressed that the former broadcaster suffered from both mental and physical health issues, telling the judge that his client was “not just of good character but of exceptional character”.
In a statement issued yesterday (Wednesday 31 July), a BBC official said: “The BBC is shocked by the details that have emerged in court today. There is no room for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.
“Police can confirm that this charge is not related to the original complaint made to the BBC in summer 2023. However, in the interest of transparency we believe it is important to clarify some points about events from last year.
“In November 2023, while Mr Edwards was suspended, his then employers, the BBC, were informed in confidence that he had been arrested on suspicion of a serious criminal offence and had been released on bail whilst police continued their investigations. At the time no charges had been made against Mr Edwards and the BBC was also aware that there was a significant risk to Mr Edwards’ health.
“Today we learn the outcome of the police case in details tendered in court. If Mr Edwards had been charged at any time whilst employed by the BBC, the BBC would have decided to dismiss him with immediate effect. After all, at the time of the charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.
“Throughout this period, as always, the BBC has kept its internal dealings with these matters separate and independent from any editorial functions. We would like to reiterate our regret at Mr Edwards’ actions and our thoughts are with all those affected.”