Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards has been charged with three counts of making indecent images of children, Britain's Metropolitan Police has said.
Edwards (62) resigned from the broadcaster in April after he was accused of paying a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit pictures.
He was the BBC's highest-earning newsreader at the time he resigned.
Police have said his alleged offences took place between December 2020 and April 2022 and relate to images shared in a WhatsApp chat.
A sign at the BBC's New Broadcasting House in London, England, 11-7-18. Image: incamerastock / Alamy
The former newsreader was arrested on November 8th 2023 and charged on Wednesday June 26th.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday July 31st.
It comes after Edwards was paid between stg£475,000 and £479,999 (€564,258 and €570,196) in the 2023-24 financial year, making him the broadcaster's third-highest-paid presenter overall.
He was previously the corporation’s most high-profile news anchor and was often chosen to front coverage of major events, including the death of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
The BBC has previously apologised for the way it handled a complaint about Huw Edwards.
It said allegations about his behaviour were made in May 2023 but it did not reach senior managers until July.
The corporation said the complaint was not "escalated quickly enough" and that it has now changed its processes.
If found guilty, he could receive a sentence of up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
Reporting by: IRN
Main image: Huw Edwards attending the Virgin Media BAFTA TV Awards in London, 12-5-19. Image: Matt Crossick/PA Wire
