BBC apologises to household at centre of Huw Edwards scandal
The BBC has apologised to the household of the younger particular person on the centre of the Huw Edwards express pictures allegations, after a overview checked out the way it dealt with the grievance in regards to the star.
Today the company mentioned there had been ‘shortcomings’ in the best way it handled the case and that the grievance was ‘not escalated quickly enough’ to high bosses.
Corporation bosses beforehand confronted criticism on the lack of velocity and seriousness with which the BBC had handled the claims when it was contacted by a member of the younger particular person’s household final spring.
News at Ten host, Edwards, 62, was suspended by the BBC in July over allegations that he had paid a 17-year-old teenager £35,000 for sexual pictures over three years.
It took seven weeks for the preliminary inappropriate behaviour claims to be escalated to the BBC director-general and for them to be put to Edwards himself.
His id was lastly revealed by the star’s spouse in July after days of hypothesis, as she revealed he was ‘suffering from serious mental health issues’. He has not returned to work since.
Huw Edwards was suspended final July over claims he paid hundreds of kilos to the teenager for sexually express pictures
Edwards (pictured in April 2023), who was final on display screen on July 5, was named because the presenter on the centre of the scandal by his spouse, Vicky Flind, in a shock assertion on his behalf
But as a part of the controversy there have been extreme questions requested about the best way the BBC handled the preliminary grievance.
After investigators on the BBC had been unable to get involved with the complainant at first of June, nothing occurred for a month, till The Sun newspaper went to the company in regards to the story.
It was solely then that the director-general Tim Davie and different high bosses had been made conscious of the allegations about Huw Edwards. It was additionally solely at this level that Edwards was himself advised of the claims about him.
Today’s report, sparked by the Huw Edwards case, additionally appeared extra broadly on the manner the BBC handles non-editorial complaints.
Leigh Tavaziva, BBC Group Chief Operating Officer mentioned: ‘The report identifies specific process shortcomings in the presenter case. The initial complaint in this case was not escalated quickly enough to senior management and we have apologised to the complainant for this.’
The Deloitte report revealed that the ‘primary learning’ from this case was that the ‘potential wider significance of this issue for the BBC’ was not recognised inside its ‘Corporate Investigations at the time of complaint receipt / triage’.’
It additionally identified that the case was not logged correctly that means there was ‘no opportunity for wider visibility of the case within the BBC’.
The report mentioned there was additionally ‘no documented process for contact with the complainant’ and that it was not made clear what course of needs to be adopted as soon as they may not pay money for the member of the family.
The household made its first grievance to the broadcaster on May 18,2023 in regards to the presenter’s behaviour.
It was beforehand revealed {that a} member of the household had a 29-minute name to the BBC’s viewers companies workforce the next day, who had then handed it over to the company investigations workforce. They are mentioned to have determined that it was not an allegation that included criminality however was worthy of additional investigation.
The investigations unit had despatched an e mail to the complainant asking for extra particulars to take a look at the allegations and likewise checked out the id of the particular person complaining.
Huw Edwards is the best paid journalist on the BBC and led the nation via Queen Elizabeth II’s loss of life
On June 6, the company investigations workforce tried to name the member of the family after getting no reply to their e mail, however mentioned the decision didn’t join.
The BBC admitted it had not tried once more to contact the grievance after this level however the case had been saved open.
It was solely a few month later when The Sun newspaper contacted the BBC in regards to the allegations, together with different new claims the broadcaster had not been advised about earlier than, that the matter was referred as much as the highest of the company.
According to the BBC this was the primary level, July 6, at which director common Tim Davie or another government administrators had been knowledgeable in regards to the scenario. At this level a senior boss contacted Edwards, who himself was solely now being made conscious of the claims about him.
The story was printed, which didn’t identify Edwards, on July 7 and two days later the BBC mentioned it had suspended the presenter.
Deloitte, speaking extra broadly in regards to the dealing with of complaints mentioned there was ‘a clear need for greater consistency across the BBC in how these complaints are processed’.
Leigh Tavaziva, BBC Group Chief Operating Officer mentioned: ‘Although our existing processes and systems are, on the whole, working effectively, this review shows that we need to join them up better to ensure no matter how a non-editorial complaint comes into the BBC it is escalated swiftly, when needed, and dealt with by the right people. ‘Where the review identifies process improvements we accept those in full, and we are delivering on an action plan with a number of enhancements already in place. ‘
The BBC has since put in place an ‘escalation mechanism for serious non-editorial complaints’ together with different measures and a raft of additional enhancements are additionally deliberate.
While it isn’t anticipated Edwards will return to his £439,000-a-year position on the Corporation, senior BBC bosses have been unable to switch him throughout his suspension.
It comes because the BBC readies itself for a busy yr of reports which incorporates a number of elections, big sporting occasions and the continuing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Incoming BBC chairman Samir Shah, made this level to MPs forward of his appointment.
He mentioned: ‘Next yr is more likely to be election yr. It is BBC journalism’s World Cup . . . We should be match match. We have to have discovered all the things from studio debates to allocation of airtime.’
One of Edwards’ longstanding colleagues advised The Times that the BBC could be eager to resolve the scenario quickly.
‘Things have been dragging on for six months now and so they nonetheless have not been capable of make any progress,’ they mentioned.
Another advised the newspaper: ‘There had been snap elections in 2017 and 2019 which we did not see coming and we simply acquired on and did it. We have a number of superb folks.’
Clive Myrie, 59, has been tipped because the information presenter who might entrance the BBC’s election protection and succeed Edwards because the News at Ten anchor.
Sophie Raworth, Laura Kuenssberg and Nick Robinson are additionally in competition to host election evening.
In December, Scotland Yard confronted a secrecy row after refusing to say whether or not its officers are nonetheless investigating Edwards.
The teenager’s mom and stepfather complained to police in April, however three months later detectives declared that no crime had been dedicated.
When the Metropolitan Police was requested whether or not detectives had been nonetheless assessing any allegations, the drive declined to reply.
Under College of Policing tips, forces routinely reply to media inquiries when requested if there may be an replace to an present policing matter.
The nationwide steering states: ‘As an investigation or different policing exercise continues, officers and communications employees ought to commonly overview the data that has been launched and take into account whether it is acceptable to launch extra info.’
But when requested whether or not officers had been nonetheless conducting any inquiries into Mr Edwards, a Scotland Yard spokesman refused to reply, saying: ‘We are usually not capable of reply your question on the data you may have supplied to us.’
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How the Huw Edwards scandal that engulfed the BBC unfolded
By Hannah McDonald and Matthew Lodge
From preliminary allegations to being named by his spouse publicly, that is how the Huw Edwards scandal unfolded.
The naming of Mr Edwards because the ‘BBC presenter’ adopted days of hypothesis after The Sun newspaper reported an unnamed man had allegedly paid £35,000 to an adolescent over the course of three years for sexually express pictures.
Mr Edwards’ spouse Vicky Flind issued a shock assertion on his behalf and revealed the her husband, 61, was ‘affected by critical psychological well being points’ following the claims.
He is accused of sending money to a youngster in return for sexual images over three years. The teen is alleged to have use it to fund a crack cocaine behavior. Three extra younger folks have since made allegations in opposition to the broadcaster.
Minutes earlier than Mr Edwards was revealed to be the accused presenter, the Met Police dropped their probe into the allegations, saying ‘no offence has been dedicated’ and that they had been taking no additional motion.
Here is a full timeline of the scandal that engulfed the BBC:
Here is a full timeline of the Huw Edwards scandal that engulfed the BBC
April
The mom and step-father of an adolescent contact an unnamed police drive to make allegations in regards to the behaviour of a high BBC star in the direction of their baby.
The dad and mom claimed the presenter had paid {the teenager} £35,000 for sexually express images, the cash from which was used to fund a crack cocaine habit.
The drive has since confirmed it appeared into the claims, however ‘no criminality was recognized’, it mentioned in an announcement to the BBC.
May 18
A member of the family goes to a BBC constructing to make an in-person grievance in regards to the behaviour of the presenter and asking him to cease sending cash to their baby, a month after going to the police.
May 19
The household contact BBC Audience Services to make a proper grievance over the telephone. The company says its data present this name lasted 29 minutes.
The particulars of this name had been then despatched to the Corporate Investigations Team, which assessed the data supplied.
BBC director common Tim Davie mentioned the workforce decided there have been no allegations of prison behaviour however the claims had been ‘none the much less was very critical’ and merited additional investigation.
The company claims the workforce emailed the household to say they had been wanting into it and asking for added info, however acquired no response.
It added that it started conducting checks to confirm the determine of the complainant, to substantiate they had been who they mentioned they had been.
June 6
The Corporate Investigations Team telephones a cell quantity given by the complainant, nevertheless it doesn’t join.
The BBC says the workforce determined to return to the grievance in plenty of weeks and saved the case open, though they didn’t try and contact the household once more after June 6.
Explaining why no contact was made with the complainant for greater than a month, Mr Davie advised Sarah Montague on BBC Radio 4’s World At One, ‘hundreds’ of complaints are made and it’s ‘acceptable’ there’s a verification course of.
‘Some verification of that declare is suitable as soon as the Corporate Investigations workforce has taken one thing on, they do some due diligence on what’s being alleged,’ he mentioned.
BBC director common Tim Davie (pictured) mentioned the preliminary claims made to the BBC weren’t allegations of prison behaviour, however had been ‘none the much less very critical’
The BBC (file picture) was contacted by The Sun in regards to the allegations on July 6, which result in Mr Davie and different senior executives first changing into conscious of the claims
July 6
The Sun contacts the BBC press workplace about allegations concerning the presenter in query. The supply of those claims is similar household who approached the BBC on May 18 and 19.
Despite the seniority of the presenter, that is the primary time Mr Davie or any executives on the company turn into conscious of the case and the complaints.
Speaking this week, Mr Davie mentioned the character of those complaints made to The solar are totally different to these initially given to the BBC in May.
He mentioned: ‘When The Sun made new allegations on July 6 they had been totally different to the issues thought of by BBC Corporate Investigations and people new allegations clearly associated to potential prison exercise, criminality, that in a nutshell is the distinction.’
The BBC creates an job drive to steer the response to the case, which incorporates senior executives in addition to Mr Davie. The Acting Chair of the company, Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens, and the Board, are up to date as to its progress.
The enquiry by the Sun results in a senior supervisor holding the primary dialog on this matter with the presenter involved, as they inform him in regards to the claims being made.
The determination is made to not have the presenter go on air whereas the claims are being appeared into.
July 7
After being contacted by The Sun, the Corporate Investigations Team on the BBC contact the complainant once more, who was in contact with the BBC’s investigators.
The alleged sufferer’s household particulars the accusations in a newspaper interview, claiming the presenter paid for the express images for 3 years.
The alleged sufferer’s mom additionally claimed {the teenager} used the money to fund their spiralling drug behavior.
The BBC contacts the police concerning the claims and provoke its Serious Case Management Framework (SCMF).
The investigation by the Corporate Investigations Team was introduced into the SCMF, which is chaired by a Human Resources Director on the BBC.
July 8
The household ship the BBC ‘supplies associated to the grievance’ as it’s revealed the presenter might face a police probe over potential crimes which carry a most 14-year jail sentence.
As rumours and hypothesis swirl on social media as to the star’s id, different main names on the BBC are compelled to problem statements denying they’re the person behind the scandal.
The likes of Gary Lineker, Rylan Clark and Jeremy Vine all issued agency denials, whereas Nicky Campbell contacted the police after being wrongly accused of being the presenter in query.
The BBC, led by director-general Tim Davie (left), met the Met Police yesterday, led by Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (proper), on Monday
July 9
The BBC confirms it has suspended the presenter and points an announcement saying it takes ‘any allegations significantly’.
It got here after the tradition secretary Lucy Frazer held ‘pressing talks’ with BBC boss Tim Davie, with the minister describing the allegations as ‘deeply regarding’.
Following a telephone name with Mr Davie, she tweeted: ‘I’ve spoken to BBC director-general Tim Davie in regards to the deeply regarding allegations involving one among its presenters.
‘He has assured me the BBC are investigating swiftly and sensitively.’
She added: ‘Given the character of the allegations it is crucial that the BBC is now given the area to conduct its investigation, set up the info and take acceptable motion. I might be saved up to date.’
Director-general Tim Davie sends an inner e mail to employees reiterating that the BBC is taking the allegations ‘extremely significantly’.
He added: ‘By legislation, people are entitled to an affordable expectation of privateness, which is making this case extra advanced. I additionally wish to be very clear that I’m wholly condemning the unsubstantiated rumours being made on the web about a few of our presenting expertise.
‘We are involved with the household referenced within the media stories. I wish to guarantee you that we’re working quickly to determine the info and to make sure that these issues are dealt with pretty and with care, together with by exterior authorities the place acceptable.’
July 10
The BBC maintain a web based assembly with the Metropolitan Police to report the matter and talk about tips on how to progress the investigation.
The police request that the BBC pause its probes into the allegations whereas the drive seems to be into whether or not it wants to research the claims.
Speaking on the launch of the BBC’s annual report Mr Davie says: ‘As you recognize yesterday, the BBC company investigations workforce had a gathering with the police in relation to the data supplied to the BBC by The Sun newspaper on Thursday.
‘As a results of this. The BBC has been requested to pause its personal investigations into the allegations whereas they scope future work. We will move any materials that we’ve to them.’
Later that night the younger particular person on the centre of the claims dramatically denies the allegations made by their dad and mom, calling them ‘garbage’ and saying nothing inappropriate or illegal had taken place.
However, their mom and step-father hit again hours later saying they stood by their story and accused the presenter of ‘entering into their head’, suggesting the star had paid for his or her kid’s lawyer.
July 11
BBC director common Tim Davie defends the delay in talking to the presenter and denies it is ‘odd’ he hasn’t personally spoken with them but.
Asked if it was ‘odd’ that that he himself has not chatted to the presenter, Davie replied: ‘No’, including: ‘I believe it’s vital they’re spoken to by a really senior supervisor’.
He was additionally requested if he knew ‘categorically’ whether or not or not the star paid for the alleged sufferer’s lawyer.
He mentioned: ‘That’s not info I’m get together to. I do not even suppose that is one thing for the BBC.’
But he did admit that the scandal had been ‘clearly damaging’ to the company’s repute.
‘The BBC is commonly within the midst of fairly painful and troublesome affairs and storms,’ he mentioned earlier than including: ‘These are clearly damaging to the BBC it, just isn’t scenario.’
Later within the day stories emerged claiming the presenter had despatched abusive and menacing messages to an individual of their 20s after assembly them anonymously on a relationship website.
They declare they had been put beneath strain to fulfill with the star however by no means did, the BBC reported.
When they hinted on-line that they could identify them, they allege they had been despatched abusive messages that had been stuffed with expletives.
July 12
Newsreader Huw Edwards is called by his personal spouse because the BBC star accused of paying £35,000 to a weak teenager in return for express images.
Vicky Flind’s shock assertion got here minutes after Scotland Yard dropped their probe into the allegations.
She revealed her husband, 61, who was final on display screen on July 5 throughout the King’s go to to Scotland, is ‘affected by critical psychological well being points’ following the claims that emerged in The Sun six days in the past.
In an announcement launched by Mr Edward’s spouse Vicky Flind, she mentioned that he was receiving in-patient hospital care
Ms Flind, who additionally works in TV, mentioned the father-of-five is ‘now receiving in-patient hospital care the place he’ll keep for the foreseeable future’ as she requested for privateness for her household, declaring: ‘I’m doing this primarily out of concern for his psychological well-being and to guard our kids’.
She added: ‘I do know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the latest media hypothesis. We hope this assertion will deliver that to an finish. Once effectively sufficient to take action, he intends to answer the tales which were printed’.
Ms Flind’s assertion was launched at 6pm, nevertheless, there was confusion because the BBC first mentioned Mr Edwards, who not too long ago led protection of the Queen’s loss of life and King Charles’ Coronation, had resigned from his position as their high newsreader. But minutes later the company make clear that he had not give up. Sources near the star have since burdened that he has not left his job.
He is accused of sending money to a youngster in return for sexual images over three years. The teen is alleged to have use it to fund a crack cocaine behavior. Three extra younger folks have since made allegations in opposition to the broadcaster.
Minutes earlier than Mr Edwards was named, the Met Police dropped its probe into the allegations, saying it could be taking ‘no additional motion’ and concluding that no ‘prison offence has been dedicated’.
BBC Anchor Huw Edwards has been named by his spouse Vicky Flind because the BBC presenter going through allegations over funds for sexually express pictures
An announcement from the drive mentioned: ‘Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command have now concluded their evaluation and have decided there isn’t any info to point {that a} prison offence has been dedicated.’
The Met’s assertion concerning the allegations mentioned plenty of events had been spoken to, together with the BBC, the alleged complainant and their household ‘by way of one other police drive’ and concluded there could be no additional police motion.
And tonight, shortly after Mr Edwards was named, it was revealed the presenter faces contemporary allegations of inappropriate behaviour tonight from his personal BBC colleagues.
Junior employees members revealed to the Six O’Clock News and Newsnight that the presenter, 61, had despatched ‘inappropriate messages’ to them – but in addition confirmed that they’d not beforehand formally complained to the Corporation.
In the hours that adopted Ms Flind’s assertion, three BBC staff, two present and one former, then got here ahead with claims. A present worker mentioned they acquired inappropriate and suggestive messages from the presenter, whereas two extra, one who has since left, mentioned they’ve acquired messages which made them really feel uncomfortable.
One mentioned they felt it was an abuse of energy by somebody very senior within the organisation.
