Huw Edwards
Huw Edwards was revealed to be the suspended presenter at the centre of allegations (Picture: REX)

BBC bosses reportedly warned staff that ‘damaging gossip would not be tolerated’ following the Huw Edwards‘ scandal.

On Wednesday, Edwards, 61, was revealed to be the suspended presenter at the centre of allegations, after claims an unnamed BBC star paid a young person more than £35,000 for sexually explicit images.

The Met police later confirmed there is no evidence of a crime being committed, and Edwards’s wife shortly afterwards released a statement on his behalf.

Vicky Flind said that her husband was ‘suffering from serious mental health issues’ and ‘is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future’.

Following the announcement, BBC boss Tim Davie said an investigation at the BBC would ‘continue’.

According to reports, BBC bosses explained that chiefs sent a widely circulated email about the ‘delicate situation’ ahead of Edwards’ identity emerging.

A source shared to the Mirror: ‘The purpose of the email was very clearly to contain the situation and stop BBC staff fuelling the fire that had been blazing since the story broke.

‘Members of staff were told clearly that gossip could be damaging, and would not be tolerated. The situation was described as ‘delicate.’ And the warning shot on their part seemed to work, as people mostly did keep quiet about the situation and didn’t share their opinions.’

A BBC spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘We always treat the concerns of staff with care, and would always urge any staff members to speak to us.’

The BBC is conducting its own investigation, separate from the alleged Newsnight journalism.

A spokesperson said: ‘We are moving forward with our fact-finding investigations. We are going to get on with this work calmly, carefully and with diligence, with full consideration of our duty of care to all involved. We will not be providing further comment while this work is ongoing.’

Several presenters have since spoken out and expressed their concern for Edwards, including Dan Walker, Alistair Campbell and Jon Sopel.

Channel 5 presenter Walker, said it was ‘an awful situation & will come as a big shock to many.’

Huw Edwards
Huw Edwards is currently receiving in-patient treatment for his mental health (Picture: Getty)

‘Huw Edwards is clearly not in a good place at the moment and this must be terrible for his family.

‘I just hope that whoever needs help – on all sides of this – gets the time, space & support they need to heal.’

Alastair Campbell said in a long statement issued on Twitter: ‘Like virtually everyone else, I know absolutely nothing about the events that have led to the statement by Huw Edwards’ wife. But I do know that he is a superb broadcaster. I know too that he has a long history of depression. He and I have spoken about it often, including in an interview for @MensHealthUK shortly before the Queen’s death which he covered so brilliantly.

He concluded: ‘I hope he is getting good care and wish it was available to all who struggle with their mental health.’

Metro.co.uk has reached out to BBC for comment.

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