British public broadcaster the BBC has requested disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards to return the wage he was paid in the course of the interval following his arrest in November final 12 months, after his responsible plea to expenses of getting indecent pictures of youngsters.
It comes after the tradition secretary had urged Edwards to “return his salary,” whereas she additionally requested the BBC to look into whether or not it could recoup an estimated £200,000 ($255,115) paid to Edwards between his arrest and resignation.
A press release from the company stated if Edwards had “been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, [it] would never have continued to pay him public money” and added he had “undermined trust in the BBC and brought [it] into disrepute.”
The company was knowledgeable that Edwards had been arrested in November 2023 however continued to make use of the veteran broadcaster till April, when Edwards resigned on medical recommendation.
The BBC veteran pleaded responsible to creating indecent pictures of youngsters on July 31, with the courtroom listening to he had been concerned in a web based chat with an grownup man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who despatched him 377 sexual pictures, of which 41 have been indecent pictures of youngsters.
The BBC assertion stated: “There is nothing more important than the public’s trust in the BBC; the BBC board is the custodian of that trust.
“The board has met quite a few instances over the past week to assessment info offered by the chief regarding Huw Edwards. The board’s focus has been principally round two points.
“Firstly, what was known in the lead up to Mr Edwards being charged and pleading guilty last Wednesday to making indecent images of children; and, secondly, the specifics of the BBC’s handling of the complaints and the BBC’s own investigations into Mr Edwards, prior to his resignation on April 22, 2024.”
The assertion added: “Today, the board has authorized the executive to seek the return of salary paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November last year. Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime.”
It continued: “Whilst the nature of the charges against Mr Edwards is related to his own personal life, the board believes these events have also put a spotlight on the question of power imbalances in the workplace.
“We stay involved in regards to the potential for inappropriate office behaviour, notably in artistic and editorial environments.
“Whilst challenges related to power imbalances in the workplace are a challenge for multiple employers, the BBC must hold itself to the highest standards.”
It additionally introduced the board has commissioned an unbiased assessment that can “make recommendations on practical steps that could strengthen a workplace culture in line with BBC values” and stated the company will set out phrases of reference and management of this assessment in early September.
In response, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated: “Public trust in the BBC is essential, and so I welcome the BBC’s decision to launch an independent review into the culture within the organization following the Huw Edwards case and his abhorrent actions.
“The BBC is a vastly valued and vital participant within the public service broadcasting panorama that reaches hundreds of thousands day by day and it’s important that the general public has full belief and religion within the group and in how it’s run.
“BBC staff must be able to feel safe in the workplace and be confident that if non-editorial complaints are raised they will be acted upon and dealt with fairly and decisively.
“The BBC is operationally and editorially unbiased of the federal government, nevertheless I’ve spoken to the BBC chair prior to now week to convey these factors within the pursuits of the general public.”
Before Edwards resigned, he was the broadcaster’s highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket between £475,000 and £479,999 for the year 2023-24, according to the BBC’s latest annual report.
It marked a £40,000 pay rise from 2022-23, when he was paid between £435,000 and £439,999.
The BBC previously said after Edwards’ guilty plea that if he had been charged while he was still an employee it would have sacked him, but at the point of charge he no longer worked for the corporation.
Welshman Edwards has resigned from two honorary positions at his former university in Wales.
There have been calls for the 62-year-old former newsreader’s various honours and awards to be rescinded.
On Thursday, he was stripped of his membership of the prestigious Gorsedd of the Bards Welsh arts association, and a number of other bodies have confirmed they are reviewing his honours.
A Cardiff University spokesman confirmed to the PA news agency on Friday that Edwards resigned from both his honorary professor title in the school of journalism, media and culture, and honorary fellowship.
“He is now not an honorand of the college,” the spokesman said. “Our web site itemizing of honorary fellows has been up to date accordingly.”
Edwards, who graduated in French from Cardiff University, is also no longer an honorary fellow of Swansea University, the body confirmed.
A spokesman for York St John University said: “In mild of the result of authorized proceedings on Wednesday July 31, 2024, the college’s honorary awards committee has taken the choice to rescind Mr Edwards’ honorary award with speedy impact.”
Edwards grew to become an honorary physician of letters on the Yorkshire schooling establishment in 2019.
A plaque at Cardiff Castle commemorating the opening of its Interpretation Centre has additionally been eliminated, together with an audio information that includes Edwards’ voice.
Meanwhile Edwards’ honorary fellowship of the Royal Welsh College Of Music And Drama has been withdrawn following a unanimous vote by the school’s board of trustees, a spokesperson for the school stated.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is reviewing seven particular person presenter prizes handed to Edwards by the BAFTA Cymru (Wales) Awards between 2002 to 2017.
It is known that the BAFTA awards gained by the BBC when he lined royal occasions will stay, together with the Edwards-fronted protection of the 2011 wedding ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Source: www.anews.com.tr