Former BBC News Presenter Huw Edwards Appears in Court Over Indecent Images Charges

Former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning (July 31) to face three charges of making indecent images of children. The 62-year-old journalist was swarmed by photographers upon arrival and refused to answer any questions. In the chaotic scene, some photographers were knocked to the ground as they scrambled to capture images of Edwards.

Edwards is alleged to have committed the three offenses between December 2020 and April 2022. According to the charges, he is accused of possessing 37 indecent photographs on WhatsApp, including six of the most serious type. The Metropolitan Police reported that Edwards was arrested in November last year and charged on June 26.

The charge sheet specifies that Edwards is accused of having six Category A images, 12 Category B pictures, and 19 Category C photographs on WhatsApp, in violation of sections 1(1)(a) and 6 of the Protection of Children Act 1978. The images are alleged to have been shared via WhatsApp, told BBC.

If found guilty, Edwards could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Edwards was one of the BBC’s most prominent and highest-paid news anchors before he left the corporation in April due to medical reasons.

During his career, Edwards fronted BBC’s News At Ten for 20 years and anchored coverage of major national events, including the announcement of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and presenting her funeral coverage. He was previously the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of £475,000 to £479,999 for the year 2023/24 for 160 presenting days, BBC One news specials, election specials, and other television programming, according to the corporation’s latest annual report.