BBC asks Huw Edwards to hand back £200,000 of salary

Huw Edwards, the prominent BBC presenter, has been instructed to return approximately £200,000 of his salary after pleading guilty to charges related to the possession of indecent images of children. This amount corresponds to the earnings he received during the five months following his arrest in November of last year. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had previously urged Edwards to repay his salary, emphasizing the need for accountability in light of his actions. The BBC board released a statement confirming that it has authorized the executive team to seek the return of Edwards' salary, citing his guilty plea to "an appalling crime" that has significantly undermined public trust in the organization. A spokesperson for the board noted that had Edwards been forthcoming about his arrest when questioned, the BBC would not have continued to pay him public funds. In response to the situation, the BBC has initiated a review to assess the circumstances surrounding Edwards' case, including the handling of complaints received last year. The board indicated that the terms of reference and leadership for this independent review will be established in early September, with a report expected to be delivered within months. Lisa Nandy has expressed her support for the BBC's decision to conduct an independent review, highlighting the importance of maintaining public trust in the broadcaster amidst these serious allegations.