BBC News confusion as show claims Huw Edwards has resigned before retracting
BBC News has sparked confusion after the presenter told viewers that Huw Edwards had resigned after his wife came forward to announce he was the presenter at the centre of allegations over payments for sexually explicit images.
The BBC News at Six programme opened this evening announcing he had been named as the presenter at the centre of the scandal, which has rocked the BBC over recent days.
The 61-year-old TV presenter's wife shared a statement confirming Huw was the male presenter alleged to have paid £35,000 to a teenager in exchange for explicit photographs.
Journalist Sophie Raworth opened the evening news programme and said: "At six, Huw Edwards is the presenter accused of paying a teenager for explicit photos.
"In the last few minutes, he has announced his resignation," she added.
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Sophie Raworth claimed Huw Edwards had resigned before retracting on BBC News at 6 (BBC)However, a few moments later the host clarified Huw has not resigned from the BBC.
"I must just correct something as well because this is all breaking in the last few minutes but he is not resigning. He has been named by his wife, he has not resigned," she said.
The BBC broadcast sparked confusion amongst viewers, who took to Twitter to share their puzzlement.
One wrote: "Absolutely incredible that the BBC managed to f**k the top of the 6 O’Clock News with a claim that Huw Edwards had resigned. Anchor now saying, 'We’re getting a new line that Huw Edwards had not resigned…' It was only the BBC reporting a resignation of… one of its own staff."
Another pointed out: "BBC News reported that its own anchor Huw Edwards has resigned from the station after being named as the presenter at the centre of allegations … and then reported that its own reporting was incorrect, and he has not resigned".
And a third said: "#HuwEdwards #bbc the said he’s resigned and then back tracked that he hasn’t resigned. Get your facts right bbc !!!"
It comes after the presenter's wife shared a statement to name him as the BBC star alleged to have paid a young person for sexually explicit images.
Huw's wife Vicky Flind said in a statement: "In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family. I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.
"Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
"The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.
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"Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published.
"To be clear Huw was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.
"In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected.
"I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end."
*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]
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