Huw Edwards Charged with Making Indecent Images of Children, Says Metropolitan Police

Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been charged with making indecent images of children, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police. The 62-year-old veteran broadcaster, who parted ways with the corporation in April, faces three charges linked to alleged activities that occurred between December 2020 and April 2022. Edwards is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

The charge sheet outlines that Edwards is accused of possessing six category A images, 12 category B pictures, and 19 category C photographs on the messaging platform WhatsApp. These offences contravene sections 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978. If convicted, Edwards could face a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

A police spokesperson provided further details: “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 November 8, 2023, and charged on Wednesday, June 26, following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 31.”

The spokesperson also reminded the media and the public about the importance of not publishing any information that could prejudice future court proceedings, emphasizing that this is an active case.

Edwards had been one of the BBC’s most prominent and highest-paid news anchors before his departure from the corporation earlier this year. Throughout his distinguished career, he fronted BBC’s News At Ten for 20 years and played a pivotal role in covering major national events. Notably, he announced Queen Elizabeth II’s death on the BBC and presented coverage of her funeral. He also led the BBC’s broadcast of King Charles III’s coronation last year.

Edwards’ contributions to significant royal events are well-remembered. He presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (now the Prince and Princess of Wales) in 2011, the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018, and the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021.

In addition to his coverage of royal events, Edwards was a prominent figure in the BBC’s election coverage, taking over from the long-serving David Dimbleby in 2019. He was also the voice behind the broadcaster’s coverage of Trooping the Colour and the Festival of Remembrance.

Before stepping down, Edwards was the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of £475,000 to £479,999 for the year 2023/24. This remuneration covered 160 presenting days, including BBC One news specials, election specials, and other television programming, as outlined in the BBC’s latest annual report.