Daily Mail: BBC staff 'frustrated' at delays into Huw Edwards investigation

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC staff are 'frustrated' at delays to the Huw Edwards investigation, as it emerges the star is expected to be named as the Corporation's highest-paid newsreader even though he has not worked since July.

Details over the six-figure salary for Huw Edwards will be revealed in this summer's annual report, despite his suspension over the £35,000 sex pic scandal.

The high-profile newsreader earned up to £439,000 last year, even though he was suspended in July over claims he paid thousands of pounds to a teenager for sexually explicit photos — and also gave them money.

The Times reports that Edwards, who suffered a 'serious episode' following the fallout, remains too unwell to take part in a BBC investigation into his behaviour.

While details between Edwards' lawyers and the BBC remain a secret, but staff at the Corporation have shared their frustration and skepticism over an outcome being reached anytime soon.

One senior individual told The Times 'everything seems to just be stuck', while another fellow presenter said the continued payments were 'immoral'.

They explained: 'It's terrible for the licence fee payer if Huw is earning so much but not working. The BBC is getting so much value for money from other people who are doing endless hours.'

But lawyers highlighted how the BBC has a duty of care to Edwards, who signed an extension to his contract with the broadcaster in March 2023.

Paul Daniels, an employment specialist for Keystone Law, said the BBC was in a 'difficult situation' whereby there would be potential claims for unfair dismissal, disability discrimination or for breach of contract if Edwards were to be fired without having had a hearing.

The BBC will be calculating Edwards' salary details this week, according to The Times.

If the investigation has not been completed by July and Edward's full pay is honoured then he will continue to appear on the list.

The Sun sparked a five-day media frenzy last year when it published a story that a 'household' name male presenter had allegedly paid a teenager more than £35,000 for inappropriate photos over a three-year period, dating back to when the youth was 17.

Edwards, who was last on screen on July 5, was named as the presenter at the centre of the scandal by his wife, Vicky Flind, in a shock statement on his behalf.

She revealed that the father-of-five was in hospital after suffering a 'serious episode', declaring: 'I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children'.

Flind, who also works in TV, said Edwards was receiving in-patient care and would remain there 'for the foreseeable future', adding that he would respond to the allegations when he had recovered.

It was previously reported by The Times that Edwards, who has struggled with mental illness in the past, has not yet recovered, although it is unclear if he remains in hospital.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'As we have previously explained, we will not provide a commentary on what is an internal employment process and we would urge people not to indulge in speculation.'