Huw Edwards has declared that Nigel Farage will never be Prime Minister, dismissing the Reform UK leader's ambitions as unrealistic. In a new blog post, the disgraced former BBC presenter offered his analysis of the upcoming by-election in Clacton-on-Sea, triggered by Farage's resignation as MP on July 7, 2025.
Farage's Resignation and Financial Scrutiny
Farage stepped down amid a row over financial support. The Sunday Times reported that he had not declared benefits, including staff and security, received from long-time ally George Cottrell. Additionally, Farage faces questions about a £5 million gift from Christopher Harborn in early 2024, which he did not register. The by-election will determine his successor in the coastal Essex constituency.
Edwards' Substack Blog
Writing on his Substack blog, Edwards stated: "This needs to be said: Nigel Farage does not want to be Prime Minister. He has never wanted to be a Prime Minister. And given his current difficulties, it is an increasingly unlikely prospect in any case." He added: "Nothing he's ever said or done suggests he is remotely serious about taking on the terrifying responsibilities which come with occupying Number Ten."
Edwards warned that Farage's attempt to shut down parliamentary investigations would fail. He wrote: "Farage has tried to pre-empt the predictable criticisms: Reform has even offered to pay the costs of the by-election — a risk-free offer as such a funding arrangement would probably not be allowed — and he is betting that if he wins, all the noise about his finances and acquaintances will die down. It will not. If he is re-elected, the parliamentary inquiry into his £5m ‘gift’ from a cryptocurrency billionaire will resume. The interest in the kind of company he chooses to keep will not fade."
Edwards' Conviction and Blog Launch
Edwards launched his blog last month, two years after being convicted of downloading child pornography. In 2024, he admitted to accessing 41 images of children, including seven of the most serious type, and received a six-month sentence suspended for two years. He was placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years.
The blog, offering "commentary and analysis" on current affairs and mental health, drew criticism from child sexual abuse campaigners. Emma Jane Taylor, founder of grassroots charity Project 90-10, said: "To think he can simply return to a public platform and be received as though nothing has happened shows a staggering lack of awareness." Edwards responded that "those exercised by the piece might have missed the intent expressed" on the blog.
Edwards expressed "sincere regret and remorse" in court and in a public statement in March 2024. However, he has yet to return the £200,000 salary paid by the BBC between his arrest in November 2023 and his resignation six months later.
