Huw Edwards – latest: BBC news presenter is hospitalised as wife names him as star in sex scandal

Vicky Flind, the wife of news reader Huw Edwards, has named him as the BBC presenter facing allegations over payments for sexually explicit images in a statement issued on his behalf.

Back in September, BBC News viewers joked that the presenter deserved ‘a fortnight off’ after days on end commentating on the Queen’s funeral. A reminder:

Newsreader Huw Edwards has spoken publicly in the past about his mental health problems, describing how his depression and anxiety had left him unable to get out of bed at times:

Journalists and high-profile media figures are among those who have sent support to the “superb broadcaster”:

Huw Edwards is “the perfect target for those who would undermine and indeed would like to destroy the BBC”, according to Labour former spin doctor Alastair Campbell.

Praising his coverage of the Queen’s death, Campbell said Edwards was a superb broadcaster, and the pair had discussed their experiences of depression.

He added: “The police having said no action to be taken, whatever he did or did not do is a matter for him and his family, and for the BBC.”

Edwards, 61 and a father-of-five, has fronted the BBC’s flagship nightly news programme for 20 years, earning a reputation as a respected veteran broadcaster. Read more about his background:

ICYMI: There’s no evidence Edwards committed a crime, police said.

Metropolitan police said it made its decision after speaking with the alleged victim and that person’s parents.

Huw Edwards’s wife Vicky Flind has stood by her husband. Describing the last few days as “extremely difficult” for her family, she requested privacy for all involved, including the couple’s five children. Here’s who they are:

Opinions are sharply divided between those sympathising with Edwards and those condemning the alleged actions, as well as between those blaming the media over how the allegations were reported and those saying the reports were in the public interest because the BBC is funded by licence-fee-payers.

Left-wing commentator Steve Richards tweeted about “another familar darkly hysterical sequence” but right-wing commentator Allison Pearson responded: “Most BBC viewers will be deeply shocked. They pay Huw Edwards’ salary.”

In a note sent to staff, BBC boss Tim Davie said: “I wanted to write following this evening’s statements from the family of Huw Edwards and the police.

“Many of you will have read the words of Vicky Flind, Huw’s wife. It is a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public. At the heart of this are people and their families.

“This will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days. I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.

“Also this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police confirmed they would be taking no further action following an assessment of information provided to them.

“As you know, we were asked to pause our fact finding investigations until that assessment had been concluded. It is important we now continue with this work. I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process.

“This remains a very complex set of circumstances. As we have done throughout, our aim must be to navigate through this with care and consideration, in line with the BBC values.”