Huw Edwards’ wife Vicky Flind names him as BBC star at centre of £35k sex pics scandal
Huw Edwards faces fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour tonight from his own BBC colleagues, it has been revealed.
Junior staff members revealed to the Six O’Clock News that the presenter, 61, had sent ‘inappropriate messages’ to them – but also confirmed that they had not previously officially complained to the Corporation.
It came just minutes after his own wife Vicky Flind revealed him as being the presenter accused of paying £35,000 to a ‘vulnerable’ teenager in return for explicit photographs.
In a statement released almost immediately after the Met Police confirmed it was no longer investigating the allegations against the seasoned BBC anchor as a ‘criminal offence’, she revealed his identity.
In the hours that followed, three BBC employees, two current and one former, then came forward with claims. A current employee said they received inappropriate and suggestive messages from the presenter, while two more, one who has since left, said they have received messages which made them feel uncomfortable.
‘One said they felt it was an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation’, the BBC reported this evening.
The development marks an extraordinary five days of speculation – which started when The Sun newspaper accused him of sending cash to a teenager in return for sexual photographs.
: ‘A current BBC employee said this year they had received suggestive messages on social media from the presenter.
‘They believe the messages were inappropriate especially as the presenter was a much more senior colleague.
‘BBC News has seen the messages which refer to the BBC staff member’s appearance and they are flirtatious.
‘The BBC employee wants managers to be more proactive specifically towards younger staff who work with the presenter and to address who senior and junior members of staff interact.
‘They haven’t yet put in a formal complaint because of a desire to remain anonymous but might consider it.
She added: ‘Another BBC worker and a former one have also told Newsnight they received what they perceived to be more inappropriate social media messages from the presenter that made them feel uncomfortable.
‘One said they felt it was an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation. There has been no response from the presenter’s lawyers.’