Long-time news presenter Huw Edwards has left the BBC on “medical advice”.
According to BBC reports, Edwards had been off air since July 2023 after newspaper claims suggested he paid for inappropriate images from a young person.
Edwards was the most high-profile anchor at the BBC. He hosted coverage of major events in the United Kingdom, such as announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
He began as a trainee at the BBC in 1984, and by 2003 was one of the main presenters at the corporation.
A short statement released by the BBC said he had “resigned and left”.
“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.”
British police have not taken action against Edwards, and said there had been no evidence that he committed a crime.
Nine months ago, Edwards’ wife said he had been admitted to hospital with “serious mental health issues”.
The claims against Edwards began when newspaper The Sun alleged an unnamed presenter at the BBC paid a young person for explicit photos.
The Sun’s source, according to the BBC, was the step-father and mother of the young person involved.
However, a lawyer on behalf of the young person called this account “rubbish”.
After both The Sun and the BBC reported other instances of inappropriate behaviour, an internal investigation began.
Recently, the young person’s mother told the Sun the family had been suffering “immensely for nearly a year”.
In [Edwards] resigning we are worried we won’t get the answers we so desperately need,” she added.
“If Huw has been found to have done something wrong no action can be taken against him.”
Last July after days of speculation about the identity of the presenter involved, Edwards’ wife publicly named him, and said she was doing so both for Edwards’ mental wellbeing and for the protection of their children.
Edwards has not commented on the situation publicly.
Normal policy at the BBC is an employee continues to have full pay while suspended.
Edwards was the highest-paid newsreader at the corporation. He received between £435,000 ($907,657 NZD) and £439,999 ($918,150 NZD) for the 2022/2023 year.
The 62-year-old was not paid off as part of his departure, the BBC confirmed.
The BBC apologised to the parents of the young person, admitting it should acted more quickly on complaints.
