Former BBC presenter charged with making indecent images of children

Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children. The 62-year-old was arrested on November 8 following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police, and had the charges filed against him on June 26.

Edwards is set to make an appearance at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday July 31. If convicted, he could face several years in prison.

The Met told the BBC that the charges stemmed from offences "alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022," and "relate to images shared on a Whatsapp chat." He has been accused of possessing 37 images, six of which fall under Category A, which is the most serious classification outlined by the Crown Protection Service. Of the remaining 31, 12 are Category B and 19 are Category C.

Per the Crown Protection Service, "making indecent images can have a wide definition in the law and can include opening an email attachment containing such an image, downloading one from a website, or receiving one via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group."

The Met urged members of both the public and the media to avoid speculation, reminding everyone that it was still an active case. "Nothing," the agency said, "should be published, including on social media, which could prejudice future court proceedings."

Edwards, originally from Wales, was suspended from the British state broadcaster last year following allegations he paid a teenager for explicit images. Though no evidence of a crime was found and no charges were filed, he was not reinstated. He officially retired in April, ending a 40 year career during which he rose from news trainee to the main presenter of the Ten O'Clock News.