BBC chairman Dr Samir Shah has publicly called on disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards to repay his £200,000 salary, insisting the money rightfully belongs to licence fee payers. Edwards, 64, pleaded guilty in 2024 to making indecent images of children, admitting to three criminal charges involving 41 illegal images.
Chairman's Statement to MPs
Testifying before the Culture Committee, Dr Shah stated: 'I've already said that I think Huw Edwards ought to return the money, he hasn't done so. I read that he's seeking some kind of redemption. I think one very good step in that if he has an ounce of moral rectitude, he would return the money. He hasn't done so, I think he should.' Shah emphasised that the money 'belongs to the licence payer' and 'does not belong to Huw Edwards.'
Salary Paid After Arrest
The BBC had urged Edwards to return the £200,000 he was paid between his arrest in November 2023 and his resignation six months later. He has consistently refused to hand back any portion of the salary. The corporation has not abandoned hope of recovering the funds, according to Dr Shah.
Details of the Offences
Edwards was sentenced to a six-month prison term, suspended for two years, after admitting to receiving indecent images of children. Westminster Magistrates Court heard he replied 'any more' when sent some of the most serious abuse images. When offered 'naughty' videos, he responded 'Go on.' He paid up to £1,500 to university student Alex Williams, who sourced images on the Dark Web and sent illegal content via WhatsApp in 2020 and 2021. His grooming victim was just 17 when pressured into sending explicit content, which the victim says led to a drug addiction. Some victims were as young as seven to nine years old.
Edwards' Response
In court, Edwards expressed being 'profoundly sorry' and apologised for 'betraying the priceless trust and faith of so many people.' However, he has since criticised the Channel 5 factual drama 'Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards,' starring Martin Clunes, which aired in March. He stated his intention to 'challenge the misleading or fabricated claims' in the drama and is reportedly planning his own documentary or podcast series. Last month, he launched a blog offering analysis on current affairs and mental health, which child sexual abuse campaigners have branded 'disrespectful.'
