BBC asks disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards to return salary paid after his arrest

British public broadcaster the BBC has asked disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards to return the salary he was paid during the period following his arrest in November last year, after his guilty plea to charges of having indecent images of children.

It comes after the culture secretary had urged Edwards to "return his salary," while she also asked the BBC to look into whether it can recoup an estimated £200,000 ($255,115) paid to Edwards between his arrest and resignation.

A statement from the corporation said if Edwards had "been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, [it] would never have continued to pay him public money" and added he had "undermined trust in the BBC and brought [it] into disrepute."

The corporation was informed that Edwards had been arrested in November 2023 but continued to employ the veteran broadcaster until April, when Edwards resigned on medical advice.

The BBC veteran pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children on July 31, with the court hearing he had been involved in an online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 41 were indecent images of children.

The BBC statement said: "There is nothing more important than the public's trust in the BBC; the BBC board is the custodian of that trust.

"The board has met a number of times over the last week to review information provided by the executive relating to Huw Edwards. The board's focus has been principally around two issues.

"Firstly, what was known in the lead up to Mr Edwards being charged and pleading guilty last Wednesday to making indecent images of children; and, secondly, the specifics of the BBC's handling of the complaints and the BBC's own investigations into Mr Edwards, prior to his resignation on April 22, 2024."

The statement added: "Today, the board has authorized the executive to seek the return of salary paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November last year. Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime."

It continued: "Whilst the nature of the charges against Mr Edwards is related to his own personal life, the board believes these events have also put a spotlight on the question of power imbalances in the workplace.

"We remain concerned about the potential for inappropriate workplace behaviour, particularly in creative and editorial environments.

"Whilst challenges related to power imbalances in the workplace are a challenge for multiple employers, the BBC must hold itself to the highest standards."

It also announced the board has commissioned an independent review that will "make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC values" and said the corporation will set out terms of reference and leadership of this review in early September.

In response, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Public trust in the BBC is essential, and so I welcome the BBC's decision to launch an independent review into the culture within the organization following the Huw Edwards case and his abhorrent actions.

"The BBC is a hugely valued and important player in the public service broadcasting landscape that reaches millions every day and it is vital that the public has complete trust and faith in the organization and in how it is run.

"BBC staff must be able to feel safe in the workplace and be confident that if non-editorial complaints are raised they will be acted upon and dealt with fairly and decisively.

"The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the government, however I have spoken to the BBC chair in the past week to convey these points in the interests of the public."

Before Edwards resigned, he was the broadcaster's highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023-24, according to the BBC's latest annual report.

It marked a £40,000 pay rise from 2022-23, when he was paid between £435,000 and £439,999.

The BBC previously said after Edwards' guilty plea that if he had been charged while he was still an employee it would have sacked him, but at the point of charge he no longer worked for the corporation.

Welshman Edwards has resigned from two honorary positions at his former university in Wales.

There have been calls for the 62-year-old former newsreader's various honours and awards to be rescinded.

On Thursday, he was stripped of his membership of the prestigious Gorsedd of the Bards Welsh arts association, and a number of other bodies have confirmed they are reviewing his honours.

A Cardiff University spokesman confirmed to the PA news agency on Friday that Edwards resigned from both his honorary professor title in the school of journalism, media and culture, and honorary fellowship.

"He is no longer an honorand of the university," the spokesman said. "Our website listing of honorary fellows has been updated accordingly."

Edwards, who graduated in French from Cardiff University, is also no longer an honorary fellow of Swansea University, the body confirmed.

A spokesman for York St John University said: "In light of the outcome of legal proceedings on Wednesday July 31, 2024, the university's honorary awards committee has taken the decision to rescind Mr Edwards' honorary award with immediate effect."

Edwards became an honorary doctor of letters at the Yorkshire education institution in 2019.

A plaque at Cardiff Castle commemorating the opening of its Interpretation Centre has also been removed, along with an audio guide featuring Edwards' voice.

Meanwhile Edwards' honorary fellowship of the Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama has been withdrawn following a unanimous vote by the college's board of trustees, a spokesperson for the college said.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is reviewing seven individual presenter prizes handed to Edwards by the BAFTA Cymru (Wales) Awards between 2002 to 2017.

It is understood that the BAFTA awards won by the BBC when he covered royal events will remain, including the Edwards-fronted coverage of the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.