Huw Edwards: former colleagues and BBC stars react to naming of presenter

On Wednesday, Huw Edwards was named by his spouse, Vicky Flint, because the BBC News star on the centre of allegations across the cost of express photos from a youngster.

Several BBC stars had distanced themselves from the allegations earlier than Huw’s naming and now a number of of his former and present colleagues have reacted to the information. Speaking on BBC News, the company’s tradition editor, Katie Razzall, described it as a “huge shock to viewers” and journalists on the BBC.

“This is such dramatic news, this is a man who has embodied BBC values, has been the face of the BBC, has held the viewers’ hands through so many of the momentous parts of our nation’s history – whether it’s elections, royal events, the Queen’s death or the King’s coronation,” she mentioned.

John Simpson, who’s the World News Editor for the BBC took to Twitter the place he referenced a police assertion that no additional motion could be taken in opposition to the Welsh journalist. John penned: “I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself. No criminal offences were committed, so it’s a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved. Let’s hope the press leave them all alone now.”

© Photo: Rex

Dan Walker, a former BBC Breakfast star wrote on Twitter: “This is an awful situation & will come as a big shock to many. Huw Edwards is clearly not in a good place at the moment and this must be terrible for his family. I just hope that whoever needs help – on all sides of this – gets the time, space & support they need to heal.”

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Jon Sopel, a former presenter on Newsnight mentioned: “This is an awful and shocking episode, where there was no criminality, but perhaps a complicated private life. That doesn’t feel very private now. I hope that will give some cause to reflect. They really need to. I wish @thehuwedwards well.”

© Jeff Overs

In an announcement confirming Huw was the presenter on the centre of the allegation, his spouse mentioned: “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 affected by critical psychological well being points. As is nicely documented, he has been handled for extreme melancholy in recent times. The occasions of the previous few days have tremendously worsened issues, he has suffered one other critical episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care the place he’ll keep 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.”