Authorities have reportedly charged former BBC news presenter Huw Edwards with “producing indecent images of children,” according to the Metropolitan Police (MP).
A spokesman for the MP issued a statement to British media providing an update on the matter. deadline.
“Hugh Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London, has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following an investigation by the Metropolitan police,” the media quoted the MP as saying. “The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared in WhatsApp chats.”
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MAY 14: Huw Edwards attends the 2023 BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises at the Royal Festival Hall on May 14, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images)
According to a statement obtained by Deadline, Edwards was arrested on November 8. The outlet reported that he was formally charged with the crime on June 26, following approval by the Crown Prosecution Service. Deadline said he has been released on bail and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 31.
“The media and the public are keenly aware that this is an ongoing case,” the lawmakers' statement read. “Nothing should be published, including on social media, that may prejudice future court proceedings.”
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – FEBRUARY 22, 2023: Announcer Hugh Edwards speaks before the unveiling of a blue plaque for 18th century polymath Richard Price on February 22, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. Price was born in Llangeinor, Wales in 1723, but spent most of his adult life as minister of Newington Green Unitarian Church. He edited, published and developed the Bayes-Price Theorem and the field of actuarial science. He wrote on issues of demography and finance, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
UK law defines a “child” as someone under the age of 18 and “producing indecent images” as opening an online attachment containing an image, downloading an image to a computer via a website, obtaining an image of a child through a social media platform, or live-streaming such an image. according to Royal Prosecutor's Office.
Edwards reportedly faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on all charges. (RELATED: 'I'm sick of it': YouTube star MrBeast speaks out about child sex abuse allegations scandal)
Edwards Highest salary The BBC's annual report said he would be banned from the UK broadcaster in 2023. According to Deadline, the first reports that he had paid thousands of pounds to young people in exchange for sexually explicit images first surfaced a year before his arrest. He reportedly resigned in April, with the BBC saying he was following “medical advice”.
The BBC announced an investigation into his conduct and admitted it “failed to consider the potential wider impact” of the complaints against him, Deadline previously reported.Reported.
No upcoming court dates for Edwards have been announced at this time.
