Huw Edwards ‘plans to respond’ to allegations once he’s ‘well enough’, says wife

Veteran news anchor Huw Edwards has been named in a statement released by his wife, Vicky Flind, following allegations of a BBC presenter paying a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photographs.

In the statement, Vicky said her husband suffers from “serious mental health issues” and is currently in hospital.

She has also claimed that Huw plans to respond to the coverage of the last few days once he feels “well enough to do so”.

Vicky said: “In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.

“I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children,” she continued.

“Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.

“The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.

“Once well enough to do so, he intends to respond to the stories that have been published,” she clarified.

It has been alleged that Huw paid a teenager more than £35,000 for explicit images.

The revelation that the previously unnamed presenter is Huw came shortly after the Metropolitan Police stated there was “no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed”.

The Met has said it will take no further action.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “The police had previously asked us to pause our fact finding investigations and we will now move forward with that work, ensuring due process and a thorough assessment of the facts, whilst continuing to be mindful of our duty of care to all involved.”

In her statement on Huw’s behalf, Vicky also explained that the presenter “was first told that there were allegations being made against him last Thursday.”

“In the circumstances and given Huw’s condition I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone else caught up in these upsetting events is respected,” she said.

“I know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the recent media speculation. We hope this statement will bring that to an end.”