Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards accused of making 37 indecent images of children, ‘shared on WhatsApp’

Former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has been accused of making 37 indecent images of children.

Veteran television presenter Edwards, 62 – who left the Beeb after 40 years in April – faces three charges for alleged activity between December 2020 and April 2022.

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The offenses would be linked to images shared on WhatsApp, police said.

Edwards is accused of having six category A images, the most serious classification of indecent images, on a phone.

He is also accused of taking 12 category B photos and 19 category C photos.

Edwards will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.

The star was arrested last November by London’s Met Police – and charged with the crimes on Wednesday, June 26.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London, was charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

“The crimes, which would have occurred between December 2020 and April 2022, concern images shared in a WhatsApp chat.

“Edwards was arrested on 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday 26 June following authorization from the Crown Prosecution Service.

“He has been released on bail to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 31 July.

“The media and public are strongly reminded that this is an active case.

“Nothing should be published, including on social media, that could harm future legal proceedings.”

The crimes can carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Ministry of Justice guidelines state that the definition of a ‘child’ is anyone under the age of 18.

Married and father of five, Edwards resigned from the BBC three months ago after a glittering career spanning almost 40 years.

The Corporation revealed its presenter’s resignation in a brief statement on April 22.

It said: “Huw Edwards has resigned and left the BBC.

“After 40 years of service, Huw explained that his decision was made on the basis of advice. The BBC accepted his resignation.”

Last week, the Beeb’s annual salary report revealed that former News at Ten anchor Edwards was the corporation’s third highest-paid star from April 2023 to March 2024.

He earned between £475,000 and £479,999 in the period – with his salary surpassed only by Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball.

Welsh-born Edwards was born in Bridgend in 1961 and raised in a village near Llanelli by his father, Hywel – a professor of Welsh literature and mother, a teacher, Aerona.

After a spell in radio in Swansea, he joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1984, before becoming BBC Wales’ parliamentary correspondent two years later.

Edwards led Six O’Clock News from 1994 to 2003.

And in January 2003, he became the main presenter of BBC One’s Ten O’Clock News.

As one of the Corporation’s most experienced – and respected – broadcasters, he was responsible for state events as well as the Beeb’s election coverage.

The award-winning presenter fronted the BBC’s coverage of the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Edwards – previously the corporation’s highest-paid reporter – was also the BBC’s main presenter at the Coronation of King Charles at Westminster Abbey last May.

More than 13 million watched on BBC One as Edwards addressed the nation during the ceremony that saw Charles and Queen Camilla crowned.

Edwards also hosted Prince Harry and Meghan’s May 2018 wedding in Windsor for the BBC.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “Huw Edwards, 62, from south-west London, has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children.

“The CPS authorized the charges following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

“Mr Edwards will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 31 July 2024.

“We remind everyone that the process is active and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there are no reports, comments or sharing of information online that could in any way undermine these procedures.”