Former BBC star Huw Edwards has arrived at court to face his child pornography charges. Edwards, 62, has been accused of three counts of making indecent images of children.
Huw Edwards ' child pornography charges were not made public due to fears over his 'mental health', it is understood.
Alternatively, the shocking revelations of the case were only uncovered on Monday when it was spotted that Edwards was due to appear at magistrates' court on Wednesday by a media outlet, who demanded answers from Scotland Yard. Huw Edwards' child porn charges were not made public due to fears over his mental health, it is understood
In a bombshell interview with BBC News on Thursday, the director general said: 'We knew it was serious, we knew no specifics, apart from the category of the potential offences.' Category A images show serious abuse including penetrative sexual activity, while Category B images involve non-penetrative sexual activity. Category C images do not depict any sexual activity.
When the ex-anchorman's charges were made public this week, Mr Davie said: 'We were very shocked. No one knew about the specifics of what we heard over the last few days, which have been deeply disturbing.' He added: 'Another factor at this point was very significant duty of care considerations. I think it was right for us to say we'd let the police do their business, and then when charges happen, we will act.'
He continued: 'I can categorically say that when it comes to the offences we've seen, which are truly horrendous, any evidence that is out there is not in the hands of the BBC. If I saw evidence of that, that is not a complicated decision .' The BBC has said that if Edwards had been charged while he was still an employee it would have sacked him, but at the point of charge he no longer worked for the corporation.
The corporation added: 'The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today. There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is 'shocked and appalled' by the Edwards' news when asked about the case at a press conference in Downing Street.
'Many other organisations would have taken the risk to protect their reputation, but the BBC is under a greater level of scrutiny and they also had to consider that he was suffering with his mental health and as such at risk of serious harm.'
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