Disgraced Former BBC Newsreader Huw Edwards Shows Support for Sacked DJ Scott Mills on LinkedIn
In a controversial move, disgraced former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has liked a LinkedIn post that sympathises with the "stressful" situation faced by recently dismissed BBC Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills. The post, created by celebrity crisis management expert Lauren Beeching, suggested that the BBC's handling of Mills's departure has inadvertently fueled damaging speculation.
The LinkedIn Post and Its Content
Lauren Beeching's post, which Edwards liked on Tuesday before removing it later that day, argued that the BBC's statement about Mills being "no longer contracted" due to "allegations about personal conduct" was too vague. Beeching wrote that such wording leaves the public to fill in the gaps, often with extreme interpretations that spread rapidly. She described Mills's position as "atrocious," noting that losing a job publicly while speculation runs wild creates an unbearable level of stress.
The post emphasised that the BBC, as a publicly funded organisation under heavy scrutiny, likely faces legal and corporate constraints that limit what it can say. However, Beeching warned that this silence can be misinterpreted as avoidance rather than constraint, allowing narratives to develop without permission.
Background on Scott Mills's Dismissal
Scott Mills, 53, was sacked by the BBC this week following historical allegations of "serious sexual offences" against a teenage boy under 16 in the 1990s. According to the Daily Mirror, these allegations were investigated by police in 2016, with Mills questioned under caution in 2018. The Crown Prosecution Service later determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges, and the investigation closed in 2019.
Sources at the BBC have suggested that the complaint leading to Mills's dismissal may have been reignited by the recent Channel 5 documentary "Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards," which aired last week. One BBC executive noted that the timing of Mills's sacking and the documentary's release is believed to be "not a coincidence," with the drama potentially inspiring accusers to come forward.
Huw Edwards's Controversial History
Huw Edwards, 64, resigned from the BBC in 2024 amid reports he paid a 17-year-old boy for explicit images. He was later convicted of possessing indecent images of children. Edwards remained on the BBC's payroll for several months after his arrest by the Metropolitan Police in November 2023, suspended during the investigation before resigning on medical advice prior to charges being brought.
His like of Beeching's post adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of the BBC's handling of misconduct cases, particularly given his own legal troubles.
Internal Reaction at the BBC
The dismissal has caused shock within the BBC, with staff reportedly reacting with "audible gasps" upon receiving an email from BBC director of music Lorna Clarke. Colleagues describe Mills as "kind and generous," with friends "devastated" for him. Former BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake defended Mills on Good Morning Britain, stating he never heard a bad word about him during his 12 years at Radio 1.
Insiders note that the swift action without a suspension or prolonged investigation is unusual for the BBC, leading to wild rumours circulating at Broadcasting House. Mills's team is reportedly seeking legal advice following his sacking.
Broader Implications for the BBC
Mills's sacking comes as one of the final acts of outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie, who is understood to have wanted to "clear the decks" before leaving his post. This leaves interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies and permanent replacement Matt Brittin with the challenge of finding a replacement for Mills to avoid losing listeners from the country's biggest breakfast show, which attracts 6.5 million weekly listeners.
The BBC continues to face pressure to explain what it knew about Mills's police investigation and why he was not suspended or dismissed earlier. The corporation has declined to comment further, citing the "personal conduct" nature of the allegations.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed the historical investigation, while representatives for both Mills and Edwards declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.
