for receiving special hospital care for she will stay for the foreseeable future. it was like taking for people even though we in the bbc have known this for a bit and other viewers may have known it but it will still be a profound shock. lift bbc news. the bbc presenter huw edwards is been named as the person facing allegations of her payments were sexually explicit images. his wife vicky flind issued a statement on his behalf saying, in light of the recent reporting regarding the bbc presenter, i am making this statement on behalf of my husband huw edwards after what it been five extremely difficult days.

that was the statement from huw edwards's wife, vicky flind. it came very shortly after the metropolian police issued this statement...

so, that, some of the latest that we have got there from the metropolitan police, also from vicky flind, wife of huw edwards. a very personal appeal they are from vicky flind? yes, and no doubt thoughts with her their children. huw edwards now in hospital, receiving treatment, and he has spoken in the past about suffering from depression. he has been very open about that over a

number of years and so here we are this evening, able to name the presenter who has been at the centre of five days of claims and counterclaims, as the television news presenter, bbc news presenter huw edwards, who has worked for the bbc for a0 years, he has been present the fight to bbc one news at ten for 20 years, he has taken part in anchoring so many state occasions for the bbc, elections as well —— presenter of the flagship bbc one news at ten. it will come as a real shock to people when they hear that it is huw edwards who is the television presenter who has now been named by his wife. let'sjust bring you some reaction from another bbc present or, john simpson. he has set on social media that he feel so sorry for everyone involved in this, for the edwards family, for the complainants and for huw himself.

john simpson goes on to say no criminal offences have been committed, that is a reference to the met confirming it is dropping its assessment of the claims, and so johnson goes on, it is purely a personal tragedy for everyone involved —— sewed john simpson goes on. let's hope the press leave them alone now. this evening, we have the name of the presenter, huw edwards. we also know from the metropolitan police that they have done their assessments and their inquiries and they have, to the conclusion that there is no evidence of any criminal offence being committed and they've also now... what this will allow us for the bbc to carry out or continue its investigations into the processes when they first got the complaint from the family of this young person, and they will be able to move forward with that stub of course, things will be difficult in the sense that given that huw

edwards is now receiving treatment. they currently will not be able to talk, that is going on, but but huw edwards's life vicky flind saying once he is well enough you will be able to respond to the allegations that have been made against him —— wife vicky flind saying that once he is well enough, he will be able to. the one person we've not heard from all of this, in terms of the sun article, we heard from the young person, their lawyer, saying claims being made from his mother were complete rubbish. we know there is no evidence of a criminal offence having been committed, so in terms of the met�*s involvement, for now, that has gone away. what he meant to say in their statement is that should evidence of criminality or safeguarding issues be identified at any point, we would expect matters to be referred to the relevant police force, but they also say, we

are also l mac i wear of media reporting of further allegations against the same in visual —— they say they are aware. no evidence of these allegations have been passed to us, therefore there is no police action at this time. so the metropolitan police confirming no evidence of any criminal offence having been committed and it is now for the bbc to uncaused their investigation and continue their inquiries as best they can at the moment, while huw edwards is having that treatment, and of course they have got a continuing duty of care towards the presenter. find have got a continuing duty of care towards the presenter.— towards the presenter. and you mentioned _ towards the presenter. and you mentioned that _ towards the presenter. and you mentioned that reaction - towards the presenter. and you mentioned that reaction that i towards the presenter. and you | mentioned that reaction that had come from john simpson, there was reaction earlier as well from jon sopel reaction earlier as well from jon sopel, anotherjournalist who talked about how there was no commonality, but perhaps a complicated private life. that does not feel very private now. there will continue to be a lot of reaction to this, want

there? ~ , ,., , be a lot of reaction to this, want there? ~ , �* be a lot of reaction to this, want there? �* , , �* be a lot of reaction to this, want there? ~ , , ~ ., there? absolutely. and if we look at who huw edwards _ there? absolutely. and if we look at who huw edwards is, _ there? absolutely. and if we look at who huw edwards is, he _ there? absolutely. and if we look at who huw edwards is, he is - there? absolutely. and if we look at who huw edwards is, he is a - who huw edwards is, he is a household name. viewers up and on the country know him as the bbc, of the face of bbc news, he is one of the face of bbc news, he is one of the bbc�*s best known presenters, and it will come as a shock to many, many viewers, and so there will be a lot of reaction, but i think a pause, really, in the sense that he is receiving this treatment now and his wife vicky flind has clearly, and understandably, been wanting some space for him to receive that treatment and to get better, and so she has asked for privacy at this time, but saying also that once he is well enough, he will be able to respond to the allegations that have been made against him.— respond to the allegations that have been made against him. helena, stay with us as we — been made against him. helena, stay with us as we continue _ been made against him. helena, stay with us as we continue to _ been made against him. helena, stay with us as we continue to work- with us as we continue to work through these developments.

joining us now is david banks, media law consultant and journalist. david, thanks for making time to talk to us. let's start with your reaction to everything we have heard today stub of course, principally, the fact that the present or has now been named the. fit first of all, one cannot be anybody entirely— first of all, one cannot be anybody entirely sad at the tone of the statement. of course we wish huw well, _ statement. of course we wish huw well, he _ statement. of course we wish huw well, he is — statement. of course we wish huw well, he is a — statement. of course we wish huw well, he is a much loved presenter, particularly — well, he is a much loved presenter, particularly in my home country wales — particularly in my home country wales it — particularly in my home country wales. it was particularly inevitable... it shows the shortcomings of the law, even though the courts_ shortcomings of the law, even though the courts have said people in situaiions— the courts have said people in situations like this, at the early stages — situations like this, at the early stages of— situations like this, at the early stages of an investigation, they have _ stages of an investigation, they have a — stages of an investigation, they have a right to privacy, it shows that _ have a right to privacy, it shows that the — have a right to privacy, it shows that the way that mainstream media can run_ that the way that mainstream media can run something which is legal, within— can run something which is legal, within the — can run something which is legal, within the law does not name anyone,

does not _ within the law does not name anyone, does not identify anybody, what then happens _ does not identify anybody, what then happens and what does not identify anybody, what then happe thatd what does not identify anybody, what then happe that social�* does not identify anybody, what then happe that social media gets a hold now is that social media gets a hold of it and _ now is that social media gets a hold of it and you — now is that social media gets a hold of it and you get the kind of situation _ of it and you get the kind of situation we had the weekend, situation we had at the weekend, where _ situation we had at the weekend, where dozens of bbc presenters were bein- where dozens of bbc presenters were being being speculative being identified, being speculative about, _ being identified, being speculative about, to — being identified, being speculative ah doubt — being identified, being speculative ab doubt the great distress of huw no doubt the great distress of huw and his— no doubt the great distress of huw and his family, who were also and his family, who were also - and that _ and his family, who were also and that no doubt that contributed to their feeling that they had — contributed to their feeling that they had to come forward now contributed to their feeling that they had to corr so )rward now contributed to their feeling that they had to corr so privacy 10w contributed to their feeling that they had to corr so privacy law is this statement. so privacy law is not protecting anyone in these this statement. so privacy law is not protecting anyone if these this statement. so privacy law is not protecting anyone if we ise this statement. so privacy law is not protecting anyone if we agree of circumstances, and if we agree as a society, _ of circumstances, and if we agree as a society, we — of circumstances, and if we agree as a society, we are going to have privacy — a society, we are going to have privacy laws that do people privacy laws that do protect people in certain— privacy laws that do protect people in certain circumstances, if they don't _ in certain circumstances, if they don't work— in certain circumstances, if they don't work like this, then we have look at that and say, why, to have a look at that and say, why, what _ to have a look at that and say, why, what has _ to have a look at that and say, why, what has gone wrong here? that is such an interesting _ what has gone wrong here? that is such an interesting conundrum -

what has gone wrong here? that is| such an interesting conundrum that you raise, because as you say there was a world in which on social media, names were flying about 11, left, right and centre, mainstream publishers, nothing sort. publishers, nothing of these sort. when you say this has exposed the shortcomings of privacy law, how can it be improved? that shortcomings of privacy law, how can it be improved?— it be improved? that is probably a auestion it be improved? that is probably a question for _ it be improved? that is probably a question for some _ it be improved? that is probably a question for some of _ it be improved? that is probably a question for some of the - it be improved? that is probably a question for sc it e of the - it be improved? that is probably a question for sc it is if the - it be improved? that is probably a question for sc it is something - it be improved? that is probably a| question for sc it is something that pay grade, but it is something that he's thinking about. the platforms pay grade, but it is something that he's thinkin willaut. the platforms pay grade, but it is something that he's thinkin will absolve platforms pay grade, but it is something that he's thinkin will absolve themselves themselves will absolve themselves of responsibility. they will say, we don't _ of responsibility. they will say, we don't know — of responsibility. they will say, we don't know what the millions of of don't know what the millions of - of people _ don't know what the millions of of people on her platforms millions of people on her platforms are doing _ millions of people on her platforms are doing and we cannot be expected to know. _ are doing and we cannot be expected to know, and so it hard to to know, and so it is quite hard to shut down— to know, and so it is quite hard to shut down that kind of speculation, to know, and so it is quite hard to shut down that ki of of speculation, to know, and so it is quite hard to shut down that ki of thousands ion, to know, and so it is quite hard to shut down that ki of thousands of i, and the hundreds of thousands of people _ and the hundreds of thousands of people who were naming names on social— people who were naming names on social media, they are not worth suing, _ social media, they are not worth suing, and — social media, they are not worth suing, and assuming that would be currentiy— suing, and assuming that would be currently difficult, so there is nothing — currently difficult, so there is nothing to deter them from behaving

in a way— nothing to deter them from behaving in a way that they did, so it really is not _ in a way that they did, so it really is not working. it works as a deterrence to be publishers and broadcasters like the bbc, as they can face millions of pounds in damages _ can face millions of pounds in damages and legal costs if they breach— damages and legal costs if they breach this law, no one is going breach this law, but no one is going after— breach this law, but no one is going after the _ breach this law, but no one is going after the people that were creating the sort _ after the people that were creating the sort of storm at the weekend, and privacy— the sort of storm at the weekend, and privacy law does not work against — and privacy law does not work against them, does not work against social— against them, does not work against social media, so how we tackle that can and how we do it, of whether we can and how we do it, is something for considerable debate — is something for considerable debate. �* , w' is something for considerable debate. . , w , is something for considerable debate. . , , ., is something for considerable debate. . , ., ., debate. and picking up on that, after these _ debate. and picking up on that, after these revelations - debate. and picking up on that, after these revelations today, l debate. and picking up on that, i after these revelations today, first huw edwards being identified as a after these revelations today, first huw edward to eing identified as a after these revelations today, first huw edward to the identified as a after these revelations today, first huw edward to the criminal d as a after these revelations today, first huw edward to the criminal offence, that amount to the criminal offence, campaigners are that amount to the criminal offence, camga gners are that amount to the criminal offence, camga news are that amount to the criminal offence, camga new lawe that amount to the criminal offence, cam; a new law of anonymity, that amount to the criminal offence, cam; a new law confirmation, �* no

say the police's confirmation of no suspicion of a crime proves their point, that people should not rely on sieving alone after bogus allegations, but that is very difficult situation, isn't it, as evidenced by particular case? it really is. a really difficult avenue to go— really is. a really difficult avenue to go down. privacy... does work to go down. privacy... it does work against _ to go down. privacy... it does work against mainstream media. what are you going _ against mainstream media. what are you going to do? going to you going to do? are you going to create _ you going to do? are you going to create a _ you going to do? are you going to create a crime and set the police on all these _ create a crime and set the police on all these people on social media? it is quite _ all these people on social media? it is quite a _ all these people on social media? it is quite a severe route to down, is quite a severe route to go down, and the _ is quite a severe route to go down, and the other thing you have to think— and the other thing you have to think about some think about is that in some circumstances, people who are suspected of offences and who are, and i'rn _ suspected of offences and who are, and i'rn not— suspected of offences and who are, and i'm not suggesting this is any way comparable to the situation, but in some _ way comparable to the situation, but in some circumstances you do want to identify— in some circumstances you do want to identify someone who is suspected of an offence _ identify someone who is suspected of an offence and and the police want to in certain circumstances, and we have _ to in certain circumstances, and we have seen— to in certain circumstances, and we have seen in— to in certain circumstances, and we have seen in the past with other

presenters where they have been identified, other people have come forward _ identified, other people have come forward to— identified, other people have come forward to confirm patterns of behaviour, which have persisted in a wa nt prosecution, so one would not want tom _ prosecution, so one would not want tom clearty— prosecution, so one would not want to... clearly one wants to help prosecution, so one would not want to.. don't rly one wants to help prosecution, so one would not want to.. don't want e wants to help prosecution, so one would not want to.. don't want to vants to help prosecution, so one would not want to.. don't want to var is to help prosecution, so one would not want to.. don't want to var is greatest you don't want to do is greatest situation — you don't want to do is greatest situation investigations and situation where investigations and prosecutions are hindered where there _ prosecutions are hindered where there is— prosecutions are hindered where there is a — prosecutions are hindered where there is a genuine need for them to be there is a genuine need for them to he looked _ there is a genuine need for them to be looked into —— create a situation _ be looked into -- create a situation.— be looked into -- create a situation. , ., ., be looked into -- create a situation. , . ., ., be looked into -- create a situa the , ., ., ., be looked into -- create a situa the metropolitan be looked into —— create a situa the metropolitan police, heard be looked into —— create a situa the metropolitan police, thatd from the metropolitan police, that there is no evidence of a criminal offence about our their legal questions here for the sun newspaper and why they chose to publish? time is crucial. when _ and why they chose to publish? time is crucial. when they _ and why they chose to publish? time is crucial. when they were working on the _ is crucial. when they were working on the story, how long did they give the bbc_ on the story, how long did they give the bbc and huw edwards to respond to it? _ the bbc and huw edwards to respond to it? why— the bbc and huw edwards to respond to it? why they chose when they were contacted _ to it? why they chose when they were contacted by the complainant to deny the story, _ contacted by the complainant to deny the story, why that was not perhaps given _ the story, why that was not perhaps given greaterweight, in

the story, why that was not perhaps given greater weight, in the coverage? i think these are all things. — coverage? i think these are all things, they are interesting questions, but it is not summing i can answer. — questions, but it is not summing i can answer, it is for people at the sun to _ can answer, it is for people at the sun to answer.— sun to answer. and uc a clear divergence — sun to answer. and uc a clear divergence tween _ sun to answer. and uc a clear divergence tween how- sun to answer. and uc a clear divergence tween how privacyi sun to answer. and uc a clear- divergence tween how privacy law operates in the real world and how it operates online —— do you see a clear divergence between? absolutely. i do not think people online _ absolutely. i do not think people online have a care about privacy, no one, _ online have a care about privacy, no one. when _ online have a care about privacy, no one, when people respecting at the weekend, _ one, when people respecting at the weekend, and naming names... presenters _ weekend, and naming names... presenters going online to protester innocencem — presenters going online to protester innocence... they do not see it as applying _ innocence... they do not see it as applying to— innocence... they do not see it as applying to that, they understand applies— applying to that, they understand applies to the bbc and national newspapers and local newspaper, for that matter, they all told the line when _ that matter, they all told the line when it _ that matter, they all told the line when it comes privacy law, but they do not _ when it comes privacy law, but they do not see — when it comes privacy law, but they do not see it — when it comes privacy law, but they do not see it as applying to them when _ do not see it as applying to them when they're on the facebook page with their— when they're on the facebook page with their friends, and they do not appreciate — with their friends, and they do not appreciate something they put on there _ appreciate something they put on there can — appreciate something they put on there can then get 2000 and thousand

people _ there can then get 2000 and thousand people. there was one guy at the weekend — people. there was one guy at the weekend running a twitter poll with tenant _ weekend running a twitter poll with tenant names of presenters at the bbc, _ tenant names of presenters at the bbc, inviting people to speculate as to which— bbc, inviting people to speculate as to which person it was —— with ten names _ to which person it was —— with ten names and — to which person it was —— with ten names. and it was getting thousands and thousands of votes. and he disregarded it as a bit of fun. we clearly— disregarded it as a bit of fun. we clearty see — disregarded it as a bit of fun. we clearly see today, from what has happened, we can see it is not fun, it is not— happened, we can see it is not fun, it is not a _ happened, we can see it is not fun, it is not a hit— happened, we can see it is not fun, it is not a bit of fun, there are real-world _ it is not a bit of fun, there are real—world consequences and they're real—world consequences and they're real people _ real—world consequences and they're real people behind of this, who are suffering _ real people behind of this, who are suffering as a result. it is important _ suffering as a result. it is important to _ suffering as a result. it is important to remember. suffering as a result. it 3 important to remember that. david banks, thank you. david is a media lock consultant and journalist. and just to pick up on some of this point that david was talking about there, there is some analysis on our life page from our legal correspondent, and he raises some interesting points and questions about the extraordinary outcome of this story tonight, and he talks about, this week, being more than a

drama. it has had a direct impact on the lives of real people, something david was pointing out as something to get lost on social media, and he says that his wife he debate around a lot that protects each of our private lives is so important in the modern media digital age. so, that bit of analysis on the live page. helena wilkinson is here in the studio with me. i think that perhaps is quite an interesting point that both david and dominic have touched on there, that in the midst of this speculation over the past few days, people almost forgot that what they were talking about was the lives of real people. da, the lives of real people, the television presenter huw edwards as we now know, the person at the centre of it, the allegations made by his mother, families involved, careers involved as well, and

potentially life—changing decisions and moments for those at the centre of this, and, yes, there has been a huge amount of speculation on social media as we have been discussing over the past days, people over the past five days, people trying to guess who the presenter was, some bb supercenters being falsely accused of allegations —— some bbc presenters. and that must�*ve been difficult for them as well. real lives at the centre of it, underlines tonight by what we now know from the statement from huw edwards's life that he is now in hospital, receiving treatment after a serious mental episode, and he will be there for the foreseeable future. �* , . . will be there for the foreseeable future. . , . ., . ., , future. and in such a cloudy, murky situation, future. and in such a cloudy, murky situation. it — future. and in such a cloudy, murky situation, it is _ future. and in such a cloudy, murky situation, it is important _ future. and in such a cloudy, murky situation, it is important to - future. and in such a cloudy, murky situation, it is important to keep i situation, it is important to keep looking at the facts of andy situation, it is important to keep looking at the facts of anc from es: situation, it is important to keep looking at the facts of anc from the as we have received today from the police, the metropolitan police and the southwest police, say that from their inquiries, and

the southwest police, say that from their inquir furtheri the southwest police, say that from their inquir further inquiries, the southwest police, say that from their inquirfurther inquiries, there carried out further inquiries, there is no evidence that any criminal committed —— south offence have been committed —— south wales police. that is an in port and point to stress.— point to stress. yeah, a crucial oint. point to stress. yeah, a crucial point- we _ point to stress. yeah, a crucial point. we know _ point to stress. yeah, a crucial point. we know the _ point to stress. yeah, a crucial l point. we know the metropolitan please have in carrying out further inquiries after they met bbc representatives earlier this week. inquiries after they met bbc representativ key arlier this week. inquiries after they met bbc representativ key question week. inquiries after they met bbc representativ key question that k. inquiries after they met bbc representativ key question that they they had one key question that they wanted to answer, was and evidence of a criminal offence, and they have now concluded their assessments and have determined they have now concluded their assessments and have detei was rd that, no, there is not, there was not, and so in terms of the not, and so in terms of that, the metropolitan police, that side of it, that has now concluded. the bbc will now be able to continue its investigations and that will have various processes. they will be looking back at how they various processes. they will be look complaint how they 1"; various processes. they will be look complaint by w they 1"; various processes. they will be look complaint by the iey 1"; various processes. they will be look complaint by the family 52: various processes. they will be look complaint by the family of a: first complaint by the family of this young but tricky for this young person. but tricky for the bbc, because with huw edwards now in hospital, they will want to

speak to him at some stage, but to wait until he will of course have to wait until he gets better, and as well it is also worth thinking about the original sun article, the age of this young person, the accusation was that this young person was being paid by 0 edwards thousands of pounds in exchange for explicit at exchange for explicit photographs at the age of 17, and that is why the police were brought in to look at the age of 17, and that is why the police we —— rrought in to look at the age of 17, and that is why the police we —— paid ht in to look at the age of 17, and that is why the police we —— paid by n to look at the age of 17, and that is why the police we —— paid by q to look at the age of 17, and that is why the police we —— paid by 0 edwards. we all of this —— paid by 0 edwards. we now know there is not any evidence went on and of any criminality that went on and so there will be questions of any criminality that went on and so thr original re questions of any criminality that went on and so thr original story stions of any criminality that went on and so thr original story and 1s of any criminality that went on and so thr original story and the sun's original story and the allegations within that, and what the bbc in terms of their investigation will be doing going forward is getting the facts, investigation will be doing going forwart to getting the facts, investigation will be doing going forwart to the :ing the facts, investigation will be doing going forwart to the bottom facts, investigation will be doing going forwart to the bottom of :ts, investigation will be doing going forwart to the bottom of exactly getting to the bottom of exactly what happened and they will be doing it very but of course as it very carefully but of course as we heard from the director general of the bbc, tim devi, they have as an employer a duty of care, a

continuing duty of care, to huw edwards and particularly as we know his mental health at the moment and a statement from huw edwards's wife that he has suffered a serious episode and is now receiving inpatient hospital care where he will stay for the foreseeable future. a number of huge developments in what has been a very complex story after it first emerged on thursday night. just complex story after it first emerged on thursday night.— complex story after it first emerged on thursday night. just got more and more complicated, _ on thursday night. just got more and more complicated, and _ on thursday night. just got more and more complicated, and we _ on thursday night. just got more and more complicated, and we are - on thursday night. just got more and | more complicated, and we are getting a lot of reaction to this story now. bbc presented simpson has said bbc presented john simpson has said he feels so sorry for everybody involved in this, for the he feels so sorry for everybody involve for this, for the edwards a. a.-. . .. .. ,.. he feels so sorry for everybody involve for the , for the edwards a. x.-. . .. .. ,.. he feels so sorry for everybody involve for the complainantsirctg a. a.-. . .. .. ,.. he feels so sorry for everybody involve for the complainants and a. xv . .. .. ,.. he feels so sorry for everybody involve for the complainants and for--. , -, ,. family, for the complainants and for huw himself. in a tweet, he no criminal elements were committed by... he says, it is a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved, a personal tragedy but at

the same time a very public event. aha, the same time a very public event. very public event, and huw edwards, who has worked at the bbc for a0 years, he is known to millions of who has worked at the bbc for a0 years, he i and >wn to millions of who has worked at the bbc for a0 years, he i and down millions of who has worked at the bbc for a0 years, he i and down the lions of who has worked at the bbc for a0 years, he i and down the country, and viewers up and down the country, and for many people, this will viewers up and down the country, and for many people, this find out that shock this evening to find out that he is the presenter at the shock this evening to find out that he of this, resenter at the shock this evening to find out that he of this, only |ter at the shock this evening to find out that he of this, only has at the shock this evening to find out that he of this, only has he he shock this evening to find out that he of this, only has he presented all of this, only has he presented the flagship bbc one programme, the bbc news at ten, for 20 years, he has also guided viewers through many state occasions and also very prominent leading election coverage for the bbc. yes, i think it will be a shock for many, many we've a shock for many, many people. we've also heard of and i know you mentioned this earlier, jon sopel, a former bbc presenter, who has died on social media said that this is an

awful and shocking episode where there is no commonality, he says, but perhaps a couple gated private life, that does not feel very private now —— no criminality. i hope he will give some to cost reflect. they really need to. i really wish huw edwards woelfel to jon sopel, a former bbcjournalist, putting that on social media this evening. a difficult situation tonight, with huw edwards in hospital, receiving treatment for the foreseeable future. the metropolitan please confirm there is no evidence of any commonality that has happened, that has gone on. the bbc saying they will continue its investigation this evening and huw edwards, his wife, says once to and will respond to this research and dominating the headlines over the past five days. dominating the headlines over the past five days-— past five days. yes, stay us, helena- _ past five days. yes, stay us, helena. let's _ past five days. yes, stay us, helena. let'sjust _ past five days. yes, stay us, helena. let'sjust look- past five days. yes, stay us, helena. let'sjust look back| past five days. yes, stay us, i helena. let'sjust look back at

past five days. yes, stay us, - helena. let's just look back at the statement that huw edwards's life vicky flind issued on his behalf. —— huw edwards's wife. it says...

that is the statement that revealed huw edwards as the presenter at the heart of these allegations. joining us now is jake kanter, former times editor. thanks for speaking to us, jake. let's just get your reaction. there was some expectation that we would be hearing from the presenter at the heart of these allegations at some point, but we have heard from his wife instead, and what she has told us about huw edwards's condition is quite concerning.— quite concerning. yeah, i think it has felt in _ quite concerning. yeah, i think it has felt in evitable _ quite concerning. yeah, i think it has felt in evitable that - quite concerning. yeah, i think it has felt in evitable that huw - has felt in evitable that huw edwards would be named at some point, and ifelt that edwards would be named at some point, and i felt that that may come from a lawyer, from him himself, but

in the end it has come from his family, and it is, yeah, a shocking and sobering statement, it reminds us that there is a man and his family at the centre of what has been an enormous media storm over the past five days. and at the back of my mind, as i have been reporting on this story, for the past week or so, is that huw edwards has spoken quite openly about his own battles with mental health issues and there were concerns expressed to me during my reporting that the storm that has engulfed him and his family may have had an impact on his mental health, and we are seeing that borne out in the statement from vicky flind, his wife, today. we the statement from vicky flind, his wife, today-— wife, today. we have also had a statement _ wife, today. we have also had a statement from _

wife, today. we have also had a statement from the _ wife, today. we have also had a statement from the police, - wife, today. we have also had a statement from the police, of i statement from the police, of course, saying that there has been no evidence of criminal offences. in light of what the police have said, what do the past five days of speculation look like?- what do the past five days of speculation look like? look, i think there will be _ speculation look like? look, i think there will be relief— speculation look like? look, i think there will be relief for _ speculation look like? look, i think there will be relief for huw- speculation look like? look, i think there will be relief for huw and - speculation look like? look, i think there will be relief for huw and his | there will be relief for huw and his family, that the police have come to that determination, the matter has now been handed back to the bbc, which will resume its investigation into these allegations, and for the bbc, this is a tricky balancing act. it has a duty clearly it has a duty of care very clearly now tell huw and his family, but it also has a duty of care to those who have made allegations against him, and that will be a tricky line to walk, as the and that will be a tricky line to walk, egoing forward, and i'm sure matter going forward, and i'm sure we will hear more about how it is going to do that over the coming

days and weeks. i think from the bbc�*s perspective, this is a significant moment for subcu edwards was arguably at the of his powers —— huw edwards was arguably. he was the bbc�*s highest—paid and highest news anchor. he has come off of a year in which he has won a bafta and been allotted for delivering the news of the queen's death to the nation and covering the coronation of king charles ii, so i am sure and i know that many of his colleagues are shocked at the events of the last few days, and i'm sure audiences will be as well.— few days, and i'm sure audiences will be as well. campaigners will be hoinu that will be as well. campaigners will be hoping that it _ will be as well. campaigners will be hoping that it is, — will be as well. campaigners will be hoping that it is, but _ will be as well. campaigners will be hoping that it is, but do _ will be as well. campaigners will be hoping that it is, but do you - will be as well. campaigners will be hoping that it is, but do you think i hoping that it is, but do you think that this could be a watershed moment, really, for the way we look at privacy laws, especially on social media?— at privacy laws, especially on

social media? look, privacy laws have been _ social media? look, privacy laws have been at _ social media? look, privacy laws have been at the _ social media? look, privacy laws have been at the centre - social media? look, privacy laws have been at the centre of - have been at the centre of conversation here, and the privacy laws that we have in place in the uk are very strict, we also have very strict defamation laws, and they have protected huw�*s identity up until this point, but they have actually also exposed other people to risk, and we have seen a situation in which other high—profile male bbc presenters have been accused of wrongdoing when this entire story has absolutely nothing to do with them, and that is really problematic, i think, for privacy and defamation laws in our country, and i hope that maybe in the future lawyers and future case law will take these things into consideration. we are in a new age now where the press have responsibilities on these matters, but social media companies do not have the same as possibilities, and

their users are wildly defaming people, expressing completely baseless speculation —— same responsibilities. and there are not many consequences for that except when individuals accused pursue legal action. the when individuals accused pursue legal action-— when individuals accused pursue leualaction. “ , legal action. the bbc has been under intense scrutiny _ legal action. the bbc has been under intense scrutiny over _ legal action. the bbc has been under intense scrutiny over the _ legal action. the bbc has been under intense scrutiny over the way - legal action. the bbc has been under intense scrutiny over the way it - legal action. the bbc has been under intense scrutiny over the way it has i intense scrutiny over the way it has handled this case. how do you think it has done?— handled this case. how do you think it has done?- a _ handled this case. how do you think it has done?- a clearer- handled this case. how do you think it has done? look. a clearer picture clear now, we have a clearer picture now tell mac has been really careful in the way it has been discussing these issues. the tenor of a the tenor of its statements —— a clearer picture of how the bbc has been very careful. having a responsibility and a duty of care to and that the individuals involved, and that is william seem quite cautious lenglet from the bbc, but i do is william seem quite cautious len bbc from the bbc, but i do is william seem quite cautious len bbc hasr the bbc, but i do is william seem quite cautious len bbc has questions but i do is william seem quite cautious len bbc has questions tot i do is william seem quite cautious len bbc has questions to answer the bbc has questions to answer still —— by we have seen very

cautious language. it did not make significant may to contact is made in may to contact is made allegations, only twice in may to contact is made allege individuals, wice in may to contact is made allege individuals, and huw edwards those individuals, and huw edwards was not informed about the until the sun made the allegations until the sun made the story in... sorry, someone has come into the office. huw into the office. i apologise. huw edwards was only made aware of the allegations against him when the sun edwards was only made aware of the allegations agaii with m when the sun edwards was only made aware of the allegations agaii with the �*hen the sun edwards was only made aware of the allegations agaii with the story, e sun edwards was only made aware of the allegations agaii with the story, and n went to the bbc with the story, and i think the fact that they include that in the fact that vicky flind, huw edwards's makes reference huw edwards's wife, makes reference to that any statements today suggests that it is a significant piece of information. jake suggests that it is a significant piece of information.— suggests that it is a significant piece of information. jake, thank ou for piece of information. jake, thank you forioining — piece of information. jake, thank you forjoining us _ piece of information. jake, thank you forjoining us with _ piece of information. jake, thank you forjoining us with your - you forjoining us with your thoughts. after two speaking to us

there. —— jake thoughts. after two speaking to us there. ——jake kanter.