After the BBC shared its ‘shock’ at Huw Edwards’ child sex offences, Sophie Raworth has spoken after the disgraced star pleaded guilty to three counts of making 41 indecent images of children

One of the BBC’s leading newsreaders insists staff learned about Huw Edwards’ arrest alongside everyone else on Monday – and says the corporation have been left with “a lot” of questions to answer.

Sophie Raworth, 56, addressed the shamed star’s guilty plea and says she wasn’t aware of the charges before this week. The 62-year-old this morning pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to three counts of making 41 indecent images of children. His appearance today is the first time he has been seen in public since 5 July 2023 when he stepped down from his role on the News at Ten.

The BBC issued a statement this evening regarding Edwards plea following his court appearance. A leaked internal note from senior BBC figures to staff notes how the corporation is “appalled” at the news.

Edwards – once one of the most recognisable faces on UK television – officially resigned from the BBC after 40 years in April 2024. Over the years, he fronted some of the station’s most important events including announcing the Queen’s death and other significant royal events.

He was previously the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader, with a pay bracket of £475,000 to £479,999 for the year 2023/24 for just 160 presenting days, according to the latest annual report.

Following his appearance at court on Wednesday, Sophie explained earlier today that his ex-colleagues were in the dark. She said: “We here at BBC News are editorially independent when reporting on the corporation and we only learnt about his arrest and the charges when the rest of the media did on Monday.”

Sophie Raworth says she only discovered Huw Edwards’ arrest on Monday like everyone else ( Image: BBC)
Speaking to a media editor Katie Razzall on the programme, Raworth added: “Well that leaves a lot of questions for the BBC.” Razzall said: “Well it really does, I think serious questions for the BBC and the Director General. Key amongst them is that decision not to sack Huw Edwards in November once the BBC knew he had been arrested.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said on Monday: “Huw Edwards, 62, of Southwark, London has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children following a Met Police investigation. The offences, which are alleged to have taken place between December 2020 and April 2022, relate to images shared on a WhatsApp chat

“Edwards was arrested on November 8 2023. He was charged on Wednesday, June 26 following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service. He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 31. Media and the public are strongly reminded that this is an active case. Nothing should be published, including on social media, which could prejudice future court proceedings.”