Huw Edwards, the former BBC presenter renowned for his high-profile coverage of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and funeral, has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, according to the London Metropolitan Police.
Edwards, 62, from Southwark, London, was charged following a thorough investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The charges allege that Edwards produced indecent images between December 2020 and April 2022, which were shared via a WhatsApp chat. The Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charges, and Edwards was formally charged on June 26, 2024. He had been arrested on November 8, 2023, and is currently out on bail.
The indictment includes six category A images, the most severe classification for indecent images, twelve category B images, and nineteen category C images. If convicted, Edwards could face a lengthy prison sentence.
The case marks another significant controversy for the BBC, which is funded by British taxpayers. Edwards, who was one of the highest-paid figures at the corporation with an annual salary of approximately £435,000 ($565,000), was suspended by the BBC in 2023 due to inappropriate communications with a young man. He later resigned, citing health issues.
The Metropolitan Police have advised the public and media to avoid publishing anything that might prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings. Edwards is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 31, 2024.
The charges against Edwards are likely to add to the scrutiny faced by the BBC, which has faced criticism for perceived political biases, despite its mandate to remain impartial.
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