BBC fans were outraged over the way the broadcaster announced that their former employee, Huw Edwards, has been charged with making indecent images of children.
The 62-year-old, who resigned from the BBC after 40 years in April, faces three charges over alleged activity between December 2020 and April 2022. The broadcaster announced the breaking news on Monday (July 29), sharing an old image of Edwards while he was presenting on BBC News.
Meanwhile, a banner underneath the photo read: "Sir Keir Starmer says incident is 'horrendous' and 'deeply shocking'." Viewers didn't agree with how the BBC shared the news, however. as they took to X to share their concerns, with one calling out the "bizarre" picture choice.
They wrote: "Bizarre picture selection from the BBC for the news that Huw Edwards has been charged with making indecent images of children – makes it look uncomfortably like he’s presenting the news himself."
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A second commented: "Looks like he’s about to present a news rebuttal." Another claimed: "The rolling news banner makes it look like Starmer has commented on it too!"
Echoing this, someone else declared: "Glad to see Starmer has been quick to comment..." The Labour leader's comments were actually about the knife attack on children in Southport, which has left at least one person dead and others critically injured.
Edwards was arrested in November 2023 and charged on June 26. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning (July 31).
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation.
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"The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat.
"Edwards was arrested on 8 November 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, 26 June following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 31 July. Media and the public are strongly reminded that this is an active case."
After more than four decades working for the BBC, the broadcaster released a statement announcing Edwards' departure.
It said: "After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don't believe it appropriate to comment further."
