Disgraced former BBC journalist Huw Edwards has sparked outrage with his latest move to re-enter the public eye, launching a Substack blog that has drawn fierce criticism from child abuse campaigners and even his former publicist. Edwards, who pleaded guilty in 2024 to three counts of making indecent images of children, used the platform to publish a post titled 'On Hatred', where he complained about online hatred, questioned legal terminology, and compared himself unfavourably to Jimmy Savile.
Edwards' Substack Post Sparks Fury
In his blog, Edwards argued that the legal term 'making an indecent image' is misleading, claiming it implies taking photographs rather than downloading or accessing files. He wrote: 'A person clicking on a file - the content of which may be unclear - is committing an offence if that file contains illegal imagery. That offence is not the same as a case involving someone who has, often over a long period, deliberately searched for, collected and even traded unlawful images with others.' He also stated that a forensic examination of his devices found no illegal images and that his crime was clicking on files sent by someone else.
Campaigners Condemn Lack of Remorse
Richard Scorer, Head of Abuse Law at Slater and Gordon, described the post as 'a disgusting attempt to whitewash his own behaviour'. He said: 'In my experience, sex offenders constantly attempt to deny or minimise their offences and the serious harm they cause. This is exactly what Edwards tries to do in his blog – the whole piece is a disgusting attempt to whitewash his own behaviour. The reality is that Edwards admitted to having 41 indecent images, including some showing children as young as seven. The blog merely demonstrates his complete lack of remorse and his unwillingness to engage with any difficult questions about his own offending.'
Gabrielle Shaw, Chief Executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), added: 'No one should be subjected to threats or abuse. But accountability is not hatred, and the two should not be confused. Child sexual abuse images show real children being abused. Viewing them is not victimless - it is vile. The issue is not that Edwards has chosen to speak, but that he has focused on his own suffering while saying so little about the children harmed.'
Former Publicist Turns on Edwards
Edwards' former publicist, Barry Tomes, who parted ways with him in April, gave an astonishing response to the blog. Tomes said: 'He shouldn't have gone on Substack, I'd said that originally. I don't think he's right since the court case. I think he should be stepping back. So, I absolutely agree [with the criticism], it's disgusting what he's put in and he should not be on Substack. He should stay quiet, come out and tell us the truth that you say is the truth, and then let people judge. Basically, he's drip-feeding it, in my opinion, on Substack, and that's wrong.'
Edwards' Conviction and Sentence
In 2024, Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. He was handed a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of accessing 41 images of children. Seven of those images were classified category A, the most serious category, while two of the images showed victims between the ages of seven and nine years old. The sentencing report noted that Edwards has arteriosclerosis, a degenerative neurocognitive disorder, and has been diagnosed with small vessel disease.
Plans for Documentary and Film Cameo
In May, The Times reported that Edwards was in talks with Channel 4 regarding a potential documentary or podcast laying out his version of events. A source told the publication that this possible doc could address Edwards' pre-sentencing psychiatric assessments, medical conditions, and difficult relationship with his late father. Channel 4 declined to comment at the time. Additionally, Edwards reportedly turned down an offer to play himself in an upcoming film, 'The Janitor', with producers suggesting his fee would go to charity. A source said: 'Huw could change his mind, but as it stands, he doesn’t feel this film role is the right way to come back into the spotlight. He wants to tell his side of the story on his terms.'
Edwards' Statement on Channel 5 Drama
Back in March, Channel 5 drama 'Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards' sparked fury from Edwards, who claimed the production company made no attempt to contact him. He announced plans to share his own version of events, stating: 'I am making an effort to produce my own account of these terrible events. This is a slow process, given the fragile state of my health. I have been open about my struggle with persistent mental illness over a period of 25 years. What is less well known is the severity of that condition, which was managed successfully until the downward spiral which led to an appalling outcome. Mental illness is misunderstood by many, but can never be an excuse for criminality. It can, however, at least help explain why people sometimes behave in shocking and reprehensible ways, and why things fell apart for me in the way they did.'
