The BBC is not hiding evidence about the conduct of disgraced presenter Huw Edwards, according to director general Tim Davie.In an interview with BBC News, Davie said the corporation is “not sitting on anything that I think we need to share with the police, or is of a serious nature that would make me feel that we hadn’t followed up properly.”His comments come as fresh claims have been published about Edwards’ interactions with colleagues, while pressure is mounting on the BBC to be transparent about the outcome of an internal “fact-finding” investigation into the news anchor’s conduct.BBC News reported on Thursday that Edwards sent suggestive messages to an employee, including a picture of his hotel suite in Windsor at the time of Prince Philip’s funeral. A “whistleblower” told BBC News that they gave evidence to the internal inquiry but the findings had been “swept under the carpet.”Edwards was suspended in July 2023 amid allegations he paid a young person for sexual images. He resigned in April 2024 citing medical reasons. On Wednesday, Edwards pleaded guilty to fresh charges of being in possession of indecent images of children.The BBC admitted this week that it was made aware in November of Edwards’ arrest, but it chose not to fire the newsreader. Davie defended the decision, telling BBC News: “We knew it was serious, we knew no specifics, apart from the category of the potential offenses.”He said the BBC had not ruled out efforts to claw back Edwards’ pay and block his pension. He said it would be “very difficult” but “we’ll look at all options.”On the child abuse image charges detailed this week, Davie said: “We were very shocked. No-one knew about the specifics of what we heard over the last few days, which have been deeply disturbing.”He added: “When it comes to the decision we made in November, we were obviously faced with a difficult decision, and we considered it very carefully.”''The police came to us and gave us information that they had arrested Mr Edwards. But they wanted to be assured of total confidence, and the reason they rung us at that point, it’s a technical process to ensure employees are protected and there’s no risk.”Davie continued: “Another factor at this point was very significant duty of care considerations. I think it was right for us to say we’d let the police do their business, and then when charges happen, we will act.”Earlier on Thursday, Deadline reported on growing calls among BBC employees for the corporation to publish the findings of its internal investigation into Edwards. “Publish the Edwards investigation,” one long-serving employee demanded. “What else are they hiding? Why did it take so long?”A staffer who gave evidence to the inquiry told BBC News: “I certainly don’t feel like I’ve heard anything of substance about how the investigation went. In a way that’s disappointing because it was quite a stressful thing to go through. It was all a big ordeal.”Deadline also revealed how insiders accused the BBC of double standards over Edwards’ salary after it emerged that the British broadcaster’s freelance presenters are not paid if suspended and under police investigation.Edwards, who was an employee, was paid more than £200,000 during a five-month period in which he was suspended and the BBC was aware of his arrest. Meanwhile, the BBC’s terms for freelance on-air talent unambiguously state that the corporation has the right to withhold payment if an individual is suspended and under criminal investigation.
© 2024 Deadline.