Senior BBC bosses moaned about lacking the Ashes and Wimbledon to take care of the Huw Edwards scandal

Victoria Derbyshire and different BBC employees had been already wanting into Huw Edwards earlier than the alleged intercourse scandal was made public, it was claimed right now.

The Newsnight host, who was accused of by chance saying Mr Edwards’ first title on reside TV final week, is claimed to have been probing allegations about his conduct for ‘some time’.

In response to Deadline, a number of sources informed them that Ms Derbyshire had already contacted ‘a number of people’ concerning rumours about his alleged behaviour together with undesirable, inappropriate or flirtatious messages to junior employees.

However Jon Sopel has accused the BBC of unfairly concentrating on his buddy and claimed: ‘A lot of my former BBC colleagues – some very senior – have been in contact to precise their anger and dismay at their very own protection of this’. He mentioned Huw is ‘very offended’ and ‘felt very let down’ by the BBC’s protection.

MailOnline also can reveal claims that Mr Edwards’ bosses had been overtly upset about lacking the Ashes, Wimbledon and their wives after they had been tasked with investigating the broadcaster accused of paying a teenage drug addict for specific snaps.

A company insider claims that whereas the journalists reporting on the allegations had been ‘left in the dead of night’, BBC administration had been locked away in a convention room.

One boss was heard ‘moaning loudly’ about lacking the game and England’s Ashes fightback, declaring: ‘The one time I’ve seen my spouse this weekend is when she was on TV’, the supply mentioned, including: ‘We’re all so sick and bored with these folks’.

‘They had been all very audibly moaning about lacking out on time with their youngsters, watching the cricket and so on, which made us all really feel fairly terrible as we are the ones who don’t know what’s occurring. All of them sat in a convention room getting lunch, dinner and ice lotions delivered whereas the remainder of us needed to “report on ourselves” for the hundredth time this 12 months it appears’.

The Occasions additionally reported that bosses had ‘torn up their plans to observe the Ashes and Wimbledon with their households’.

It got here amid disquiet over the way in which the BBC dealt with the disaster, together with not confronting Mr Edwards till seven weeks after he was first accused of giving £35,000 to a teen over three years.

Responding to Deadline’s claims, a BBC supply admitted there have been preliminary soundings’ on Mr Edwards at Newsnight.

The insider mentioned these ‘very preliminary soundings, which happened within the days earlier than final Friday, developed additional after final Friday and resulted within the story you noticed final night time’. However the insider insisted: ‘It could be flawed to characterise something earlier than The Solar story was revealed as an investigation’.

Jon Sopel mentioned right now there isn’t any proof his buddies has damaged the regulation or abused his place, and revealed Huw Edwards is ‘very offended’ and ‘felt very let down’ by the BBC’s protection of claims he paid a teen for lewd footage and was improper with colleagues. 

He tweeted: ‘I did not say any of this frivolously, however have been struck by what number of of my former BBC colleagues – some very senior – have been in contact to precise their anger and dismay at their very own protection of this’. 

Mr Sopel, a former colleague and buddy of greater than three a long time, has pointed the finger on the company and accused its reporters of enthusiastically digging into the ‘messy’ personal lifetime of the married father-of-five.

He spoke to Good Morning Britain simply earlier than it was introduced that BBC chief Tim Davie might be questioned in Parliament concerning the company’s management following the Huw Edwards scandal. The BBC director basic, appearing chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and coverage director Clare Sumner have been referred to as to seem earlier than the Lords Communications Committee subsequent Tuesday.

Mr Sopel mentioned right now he has not spoken with Mr Edwards since he was admitted to hospital. However he mentioned he had contact with him after the scandal broke in The Solar on Thursday night time. He has accused the BBC of taking the lead in a ‘feeding frenzy’ that adopted.

He mentioned: ‘We’ve got had contact, not since he has hospitalised. He was very offended and felt very let down by The Solar, livid with their protection and never overly impressed with the BBC’s protection both’.

Mr Sopel, who left the BBC final 12 months, claims there are folks at ‘BBC information that must have an extended arduous look within the mirror over the protection and over the alacrity with which they’ve gone into somebody’s personal life’, including: ‘What has it bought to do with anyone?

‘The Solar mentioned it was not going to disclose something extra and then you definately hear on BBC Information: ‘We have got contemporary allegations that he approached folks in a flirtatious or inappropriate manner’ and also you suppose woah, the man’s in hospital’, he mentioned.

Mr Edwards is receiving psychological well being therapy and faces an inside investigation as BBC Information, Radio 4 and Newsnight reporters uncovered extra claims about his behaviour, alleging ‘inappropriate behaviour in the direction of BBC workers previous and current’.

One colleague informed the nationwide broadcaster final night time that he was sending flirtatious messages that made them ‘shudder’ and constituted an ‘abuse of energy’. 

Mr Sopel mentioned: ‘It isn’t clear what the difficulty is apart from that his personal life is a bit messy. 

‘Anybody who is aware of him is simply wishing him properly. Huw, I’ve recognized for over three a long time once we had been younger political correspondents.

‘He’s extremely humorous. As an acid wit. He’s a sophisticated individual to take care of, in case you enter his orbit he’s very defensive of his personal territory, so I would not say we’re shut buddies however I might say a number of the protection about his personal life… that some would possibly discover a little bit distasteful, I do not see what it has to do with anyone else.

‘There isn’t a query of illegality, as issues stand now, and no abuse of energy so far as I can see, so what has it bought to do with anyone?’

The BBC is in disaster right now with Huw Edwards in hospital and its dealing with of the scandal branded a ‘whole mess’ as its personal journalists spearheaded protection of latest allegations the star was improper with a number of colleagues.

The presenter faces an inside investigation as BBC Information, Radio 4 and Newsnight reporters uncovered extra claims about his behaviour, alleging ‘inappropriate behaviour in the direction of BBC workers previous and current’.

One colleague informed the nationwide broadcaster final night time that he was sending flirtatious messages that made them ‘shudder’ and constituted an ‘abuse of energy’. 

The company faces critical questions on how a lot it knew about claims that the broadcaster, 61, was sending flirtatious messages to junior employees and younger folks exterior the organisation. They’ve additionally been accused of being ‘too gradual’ to react having taken seven weeks to confront him with claims he paid £35,000 to a teenage drug addict for sexually specific images. 

The Director Basic Tim Davie says he was not informed till final week – and has not spoken to Mr Edwards, one in every of his highest paid stars.

There’s additionally open warfare on the BBC after Jeremy Vine urged him to disclose himself to save lots of others being wrongly accused on social media and restrict the harm to the BBC. Former BBC stalwart Jon Sopel then urged him to ‘shut the f*** up’ as different stars together with Richard Bacon piled in.

Right this moment Mr Edwards is in hospital receiving therapy for a ‘critical episode’ of depression after his spouse final night time named him because the BBC presenter on the centre of the scandal. Scotland Yard and South Wales Police has introduced it had dropped its probe into the allegations, saying there was no proof of any crime.

Vicky Flind mentioned her husband, who was final on display on July 5 in the course of the King’s go to to Scotland, was ‘affected by critical psychological well being points’ and is ‘now receiving in-patient hospital care the place he’ll keep for the foreseeable future’. 

There was rising hypothesis final night time that her won’t ever return to the BBC – though he has not resigned – because the company began up its investigation into the information anchor after police mentioned he had dedicated no crimes.

Since The Solar broke the story on allegations that Edwards paid a weak teenager £35,000 for specific images, BBC Information and Newsnight journalists have uncovered a minimum of six previous and current employees who’ve complained about his behaviour.   

PR guru Mark Borkowski informed MailOnline: ‘It is a whole mess. One hopes the BBC have accomplished the appropriate factor if not their defence might be shaky and heads will roll. I hope they’ve learnt from Saville and naturally Cliff Richard’.

Mr Edwards’ former colleague and buddy John Sergeant declared final night time: ‘This is not the Huw I do know’, however added that the BBC doesn’t seem to have dealt with it correctly and may have moved faster given it took bosses seven weeks to confront him with very critical allegations that he paid £35,000 to a teenage drug addict for lewd snaps.

Stars rallied across the newsman and voice of the nation who was mentioned to be ‘affected by critical psychological well being points’.

In a bombshell assertion, Vicky Flind named her husband to finish hypothesis as to the id of the BBC star accused of paying £35,000 to a teenage drug addict for sexually specific images.

Her phrases got here simply minutes after Scotland Yard introduced it had dropped its probe into the allegations, saying there was no proof of any crime. South Wales Police later issued an analogous assertion.

Mr Edwards, 61, hailed for his faultless announcement of the Queen’s demise final 12 months and protection of the King’s Coronation, has beforehand suffered from ‘extreme melancholy’, and had had ‘one other critical episode’. He would keep in hospital ‘for the foreseeable future’, Ms Flind mentioned.

Nonetheless, the presenter nonetheless faces an inside BBC investigation and the company made additional claims about his behaviour final night time, alleging ‘inappropriate behaviour in the direction of BBC workers previous and current’.

A fevered nationwide guessing sport had dominated social media for 5 days as a torrent of lewd claims had been made public. Yesterday a snap ballot for the Mail advised one in three folks may accurately determine the presenter, making a mockery of UK privateness legal guidelines.

Since The Solar’s unique story, it’s the BBC who’ve led the way in which with extra allegations. 

Huw Edwards allegedly despatched ‘inappropriate and flirtatious’ messages to BBC colleagues, it has been revealed, because the company urged employees with ‘any issues’ to return ahead.

A present worker mentioned they had been left with a ‘chilly shudder’ after receiving messages about their look, whereas an ex-staff member claimed ‘late night time’ texts which included ‘kisses’ constituted an ‘abuse of energy’ by the newsreader.

Junior employees members informed the BBC final night time that the presenter, 61, had despatched ‘inappropriate messages’ to them – but additionally confirmed that they’d not beforehand formally complained to the company. 

It comes after Edwards’ spouse, Vicky Flind, revealed him as being the presenter accused of paying £35,000 to a ‘vulnerable’ teenager in return for explicit photographs. 

The Met Police confirmed it was no longer investigating the allegations against the seasoned BBC anchor as a ‘criminal offence’, shortly earlier than she revealed his id. 

Hypothesis across the title of the presenter implicated within the allegations has been swirling since final week, and now it has been revealed as Edwards, stars have described the ‘shock’ gripping the company.

One senior determine at BBC Information reportedly mentioned: ‘There was an enormous quantity of shock that after so many days all of it occurred so instantly. Individuals are actually upset and shaken.’ 

Within the hours that adopted, the three BBC workers – two who at the moment work on the broadcaster and one ex-staffer – got here ahead with claims.

BBC Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire mentioned she spoke to 1 one who beforehand labored on the organisation.

‘This individual informed me they’d by no means met the newsreader, this individual mentioned that they’d obtained late night time messages on social media together with kisses from Huw Edwards, which they mentioned they believed was an abuse of energy.’

The presenter mentioned her colleague had spoken to somebody who nonetheless works on the company, ‘who informed us that the presenter had despatched them a message on social media commenting on their bodily look, which gave them a ‘chilly shudder’.

BBC Information Particular Correspondent Lucy Manning mentioned: ‘There are questions for BBC bosses concerning the tradition within the newsroom and the way in which that complaints will be raised and the way in which folks really feel snug or to not elevate them.’

Two out of the three folks mentioned they felt they could not report what they felt was innappropriate behaviour to BBC managers, the journalist mentioned.

She mentioned of her supply: ‘That is somebody who may be very loyal to the BBC and so they imagine it isn’t only a downside for the BBC however throughout the entire business.

She added: ‘The BBC responded tonight saying it’s encouraging employees to return ahead if they’ve issues’.

The developments come after a unprecedented 5 days of hypothesis – which began when The Solar newspaper accused the presenter of sending money to a teen in return for sexual images. 

Lucy Manning, particular correspondent, revealed throughout her report for the Information at Ten: ‘It has been a really tough day right here within the BBC newsroom, a number of the issues now we have needed to report have been arduous to listen to.

‘The police have discovered no proof of criminality however there may be nonetheless lots for the BBC to grapple with.’

She earlier reported: ‘A present BBC worker mentioned this 12 months they’d obtained suggestive messages on social media from the presenter.

‘They imagine the messages had been inappropriate particularly because the presenter was a way more senior colleague.

‘BBC Information has seen the messages which seek advice from the BBC employees member’s look and they’re flirtatious.

‘The BBC worker desires managers to be extra proactive particularly in the direction of youthful employees who work with the presenter and to deal with who senior and junior members of employees work together.

‘They have not but put in a proper grievance due to a need to stay nameless however would possibly think about it.

She added: ‘One other BBC employee and a former one have additionally informed Newsnight they obtained what they perceived to be extra inappropriate social media messages from the presenter that made them really feel uncomfortable.

‘One mentioned they felt it was an abuse of energy by somebody very senior within the organisation. There was no response from the presenter’s legal professionals.’

In relation to the latest assertions, a BBC spokesperson mentioned ‘We’re speaking with employees and can proceed to take action. 

‘We all the time deal with the issues of employees with care, and would all the time urge any employees members to talk to us if they’ve any issues. 

‘We’ve got clear processes for making complaints inside the organisation, together with whistleblowing procedures ought to somebody want to take action anonymously.’ 

The contemporary claims come as Ms Flind, who additionally works in TV, launched a prolonged assertion concerning the presenters well-being mentioned the father-of-five is ‘now receiving in-patient hospital care the place he’ll keep for the foreseeable future’ as she requested for privateness for her household, declaring: ‘I’m doing this primarily out of concern for his psychological well-being and to guard our kids’.

She added: ‘I do know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the current media hypothesis. We hope this assertion will convey that to an finish. As soon as properly sufficient to take action, he intends to reply to the tales which were revealed’.

Edwards was named after plenty of BBC stars together with Gary Lineker, Rylan, Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine had been compelled to publicly deny they had been the star on the centre of the scandal. Mr Vine had urged his colleague to call themselves to guard colleagues and the BBC. Mr Campbell went to the police to report individuals who named him on-line and threatened to sue them. 

Ms Flind’s assertion was launched at 6pm, nevertheless, there was confusion because the BBC first mentioned Mr Edwards, who just lately led protection of the Queen’s demise and King Charles’ Coronation, had resigned from his function as their prime newsreader.

However minutes later the company clarified that he had not stop. Sources near the star have since careworn that he has not left his job. 

Ms Flind mentioned: ‘In gentle of the current reporting concerning the ‘BBC Presenter’ I’m making this assertion on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been 5 extraordinarily tough days for our household.

‘I’m doing this primarily out of concern for his psychological well-being and to guard our kids.

‘Huw is affected by critical psychological well being points. As is properly documented, he has been handled for extreme melancholy in recent times.

‘The occasions of the previous few days have drastically worsened issues, he has suffered one other critical episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care the place he’ll keep for the foreseeable future.

‘As soon as properly sufficient to take action, he intends to reply to the tales which were revealed.’

She mentioned that Mr Edwards was first informed of the allegations being made towards him final Thursday. 

‘Within the circumstances and given Huw’s situation I wish to ask that the privateness of my household and everybody else caught up in these upsetting occasions is revered’, the presenter’s spouse added.

‘I do know that Huw is deeply sorry that so many colleagues have been impacted by the current media hypothesis. We hope this assertion will convey that to an finish.’