BBC says sorry to family at centre of Huw Edwards scandal over way it handled their complaint

THE BBC today revealed it had said sorry to the family at the centre of the Huw Edwards scandal over the way their complaint was handled.

Corporation bosses issued the apology to relatives of a young person the BBC presenter is said to have given more than £35,000 to since they were 17.

It comes after The Sun last July published claims a BBC star – later revealed to be Edwards by his wife – paid thousands to a troubled teen who sent him sexual images.

In a statement today, the BBC said its review of non-editorial complaints – headed by specialists Deloitte - had concluded.

It said safeguards needed to be "enhanced" so complaints can be "escalated and managed" more effectively.

BBC Group Chief Operating Officer Leigh Tavaziva said: "Where the review identifies process improvements we accept those in full, and we are delivering on an action plan with a number of enhancements already in place. 

"The report identifies specific process shortcomings in the presenter case. The initial complaint in this case was not escalated quickly enough to senior management and we have apologised to the complainant for this.

"I am very grateful for the diligence and care with which Deloitte have approached this review, and for their thorough analysis. I would also like to extend my thanks to the BBC staff and complainants Deloitte interviewed for their contributions. 

"Although our existing processes and systems are, on the whole, working effectively, this review shows that we need to join them up better to ensure no matter how a non-editorial complaint comes into the BBC it is escalated swiftly, when needed, and dealt with by the right people."

Our story – published on the evening of Friday, July 7 - came after a family member lodged a complaint about Edwards, 62, at a BBC building on May 18, 2023.

When the BBC did not respond, they turned to The Sun saying the BBC had failed to take their concerns seriously.

The story prompted a BBC investigation into its star presenter as well as the way it handled complaints from the public.

We have handed over to the BBC's Corporate Investigations Team texts, social media messages and pictures which support our story.

In a letter sent to MPs last summer, setting out why the Sun had reported the story, Editor-in-Chief Victoria Newton said: "The parents had sought a resolution by complaining to the BBC. 

"No action had been taken in response to their complaint and they turned to The Sun."

Via a legal letter given to the BBC, the youngster involved has insisted nothing "unlawful" or "inappropriate" had happened with the presenter.

Our story – also carried on our front page on Saturday, July 8 – was based on documentary evidence and interviews with the vulnerable teen’s family.

We had provided the Beeb with full details of the allegations prior to publication.

On July 12, Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, named her husband as the figure at the centre of the scandal – as the BBC revealed fresh allegations against him.

In a statement, she also announced that Edwards was receiving hospital treatment for mental health issues.

The BBC conducted a non-criminal internal investigation into Edwards, who also anchored BBC coverage of the Coronation of King Charles III.

Married dad-of-five Edwards became a BBC parliamentary correspondent in 1986 and went on to present the Six O’Clock News and News at 10.

He has also hosted BBC election coverage and been the face of state occasions including the funerals of the late Queen and Prince Philip.

The Welsh star has been suspended, on full pay of £435,000 per year, since the investigation began.