BBC News journalists had initiated an investigation into Huw Edwards before The Sun newspaper sparked a media frenzy about the presenter, according to sources. Victoria Derbyshire, the anchor of Newsnight, had been looking into allegations about Edwards’ behavior in the days leading up to The Sun’s explosive claims that he had paid a teenager for explicit images. Derbyshire’s reporting last week garnered attention within the BBC, and it remains unclear whether senior editors in the news unit were aware of her work. This revelation has prompted questions about whether rumors about Edwards were circulating in the newsroom and whether senior managers were informed.
Newsnight Broadcasts Findings on Edwards’ Conduct
On Wednesday night, Newsnight presented its findings, revealing that Edwards had allegedly sent “inappropriate” and “suggestive” messages to junior BBC employees, including making comments about their appearance. While these actions were not deemed criminal, one recipient considered them a potential abuse of power. Victoria Derbyshire was credited with the reporting, with BBC News Special Correspondent Lucy Manning and radio presenter Luke Jones also involved in the story. Edwards has not responded to the allegations and was hospitalized on Wednesday due to serious mental health issues. His lawyer was contacted for comment. The BBC has stated that it will resume its investigation into the claims against Edwards after the police determined that the original allegations made by The Sun did not involve illegal activity. The corporation has declined to comment on its reporting.
Controversy Surrounding Derbyshire’s Investigation
There is some disagreement regarding the extent of Derbyshire’s work on the Edwards story before The Sun’s front-page article last Friday. Two insiders at the BBC stated that Derbyshire had been researching the issue for some time and had reached out to multiple individuals regarding rumors about Edwards’ alleged misconduct. However, a third source downplayed her work, mentioning that she had only spoken to one person and concluded that there was no evidence of wrongdoing on Edwards’ part. This source emphasized that they would not describe Derbyshire’s efforts as an investigation. It is highly unusual for one news presenter to proactively investigate a fellow BBC News presenter. While some find this situation “surreal,” others argue that it aligns with Derbyshire’s self-proclaimed role as a “voice for the underdogs.”
BBC News has played a significant role in amplifying a rapidly evolving and complex narrative surrounding Edwards. On Tuesday afternoon, Lucy Manning reported on allegations made by a second individual who claimed to have received menacing and abusive messages from Edwards after threatening to expose their encounter on a dating app. Former BBC journalists have expressed concerns about reporters investigating one of their own. Emily Maitlis, a former Newsnight presenter, criticized the decision to report on the allegations instead of bringing them to the attention of management, stating that it was “a bit distasteful.” The extensive coverage of Edwards by the BBC has faced criticism, particularly as the police have found no evidence of criminal behavior and Edwards is now dealing with mental health issues. Some view the BBC’s approach as self-flagellation, while others argue that anything less than comprehensive coverage could be seen as an attempt to cover up the scandal. The situation has led to peculiar scenes of BBC reporters stationed outside the corporation’s headquarters, reporting on the handling of misconduct allegations against an unnamed BBC star.
In its defense, BBC News has stated that its journalists treat the BBC in the same way as any other organization they report on. Despite the criticism, the BBC continues to address the allegations against Huw Edwards.