BBC admits it paid for Huw Edwards' medical treatment after suspension

The BBC has admitted for the first time that it paid for Huw Edwards’ medical treatment in the aftermath of the disgraced presenter’s suspension last year.

It refused to say how much it spent – but the bill could have run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Edwards, 63, was revealed by his wife last summer to be ‘suffering from serious mental health issues’ as she identified him as the star facing allegations over paying a young person for explicit pictures.

That was distinct from the later court case which saw the former News At Ten presenter pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

In July last year, the presenter’s wife Vicky Flind, speaking after his suspension from the BBC, revealed the star had previously been treated for depression and had now ‘suffered another serious episode’ which meant he was receiving ‘in-patient hospital care’.

But it has now emerged, in material released under Freedom of Information rules, that the Corporation paid for healthcare for Edwards in the wake of his suspension.

The BBC said: ‘We can confirm that the BBC did pay for initial treatment for Huw Edwards directly after his suspension from the BBC in July 2023.’

It added: ‘This was based on an assessment of risk and duty of care considerations. Further, we can confirm that this treatment took place in England.’

This is the first time the Corporation has admitted it paid for the treatment, after months of speculation. But the BBC has refused to reveal how much was spent on the treatment and what it paid for. It also refused to say how long the treatment went on for.

The BBC did point to Ms Flind’s statement which revealed he was receiving ‘in-patient hospital care’.

While it has not been revealed where Edwards was treated, one high-end residential treatment centre in London currently offers a bespoke service for £25,000 a week. The BBC also declined to fully explain why it was paying for the treatment, citing ‘risk and duty of care considerations’.

It said revealing further information would ‘disclose the level and nature of the treatment services’ which could cause ‘significant harm and distress to Mr Edwards’.

It is understood the BBC was not paying for Edwards’ treatment after it became aware of his arrest last November.

Edwards was the BBC’s best-paid news presenter last year, getting a £40,000 pay rise to as much as £479,999 in the 12 months to the end of March. Last month, it was reported that Ms Flind had filed for divorce in the wake of the revelations.