Huw Edwards kept arrest 'completely secret' from friends and BBC colleagues
Scotland Yard revealed yesterday evening that BBC's Huw Edwards faces three counts of making indecent images of children.
Huw Edwards charged with making indecent images of children
Huw Edwards' arrest came as a huge shock to those close to him, according to reports. The former BBC presenter reportedly remained tight-lipped about the allegations that he faced, keeping it all "completely secret".
Scotland Yard revealed yesterday evening that the 62-year-old faces three counts of making indecent images of children relating to offences said to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022. He is due in court in central London tomorrow (July 31), having been accused of child pornography offences after 37 indecent images were allegedly shared on a WhatsApp chat.
But according to sources, even those who were close to him were unaware of the charges. MailOnline reported that one source said: "Huw kept his arrest completely secret".
The only information that Huw's acquaintances had was the same as everyone else - the statement from the Met Police in July 2023 that said detectives had not found any evidence of criminal activity when the scandal initially broke and he was suspended from his job.
The friend from the BBC added: "It turns out he was arrested four months later and nobody knew. I had no idea until he was charged." Another former colleague of the star said: "It’s a mess - and tragic for all concerned".
READ MORE BBC fury as Huw Edwards' eye-watering pay increased by £40k despite scandal [LATEST]
Another BBC insider told The Times that bosses only found out Edwards was facing criminal charges hours before it was made public. A senior source told the publication: "The BBC was informed by the Met Police when a call came through [on Monday]."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation.
"The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat.
"Edwards was arrested on 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, 26 June following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 31 July. Media and the public are strongly reminded that this is an active case."
Don't miss...
Huw Edwards' last TV broadcast before quitting after BBC scandal [LATEST]
BBC sparks fury with Huw Edwards picture after indecent child images charge [UPDATE]
Ex-BBC presenter Huw Edwards charged with making indecent images of children [LATEST]
The presenter resigned from his presenting job at the BBC earlier in the year. After more than four decades working for the BBC, the broadcaster released a statement announcing Edwards' departure.
It said: "After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don't believe it appropriate to comment further."
He was the BBC's flagship presenter before his suspension. Edwards led the coverage of several royal events during his time on the BBC, including the Queen's funeral in 2022 and the King's Coronation the following year.