Former BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, according to the Metropolitan Police. The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022 and relate to 37 images that were shared on a WhatsApp chat.
The 62-year-old broadcaster was arrested last November and charged last month, the force revealed on Monday. He is due to appear in court in London on Wednesday.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated, “Huw Edwards has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation. The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat.”
Mr. Edwards is accused of having six category A images, 12 category B pictures, and 19 category C photographs on a phone. A conviction at Crown Court could lead to a prison sentence of several years.
According to the CPS website, “making indecent images can have a wide definition in the law and can include opening an email attachment containing such an image, downloading one from a website, or receiving one via social media, even if unsolicited and even if part of a group.”
Mr. Edwards left the BBC in April. He was previously the corporation’s most high-profile and best-paid news anchor, one of the main presenters on BBC One’s Ten O’Clock News, and was often chosen to front coverage of major national events.
The case is ongoing, and the public is reminded not to publish anything that could prejudice future court proceedings.
