Huw Edwards offering 'no fee' charity work after BBC exit and child images charge

Former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards is offering some charitable services despite facing sentencing on Monday. The 63-year-old, who was believed to have been paid at least £475,000 between 2023 and 2024, is now offering to work "for no charge" for charities.

In a LinkedIn post, that was still live yesterday, Edwards offered to help with interview preparation, public speaking and political consulting.

It read: "After four decades of top-level experience in journalism, media, politics and communications I’m available for no charge to charities and not-for-profit organisations."

It is unclear when the information first appeared on his profile.

The disgraced presenter previously held positions with The National Churches Trust and the Journalists’ Charity. However, when he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children back in July, the charities decided to cut ties with him.

The National Churches Trust said it had dropped Edwards as a vice-president, releasing a statement which said: "In light of the news on Monday 29 July, the National Churches Trust has confirmed that Huw Edwards is no longer a vice-president for the charity. We are shocked and saddened by the recent developments."

Meanwhile, it seems Edwards is also no longer an ambassador for the Journalists’ Charity either, which supports people working in the profession. He was removed from the organisation's list of ambassadors on its website.

After more than four decades working for the BBC, the broadcaster released a statement announcing Edwards' departure.

It said: "After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don't believe it appropriate to comment further."

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on July 31, Edwards spoke to confirm his name and plead guilty to making indecent images of children. The veteran broadcaster admitted having 41 on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type.

The court heard that Edwards had been involved in online chat with an adult man on WhatsApp between December 2020 and August 2021, who sent him 377 sexual images, of which 41 were indecent images of children. The bulk of these, 36, were sent during a two-month period.

On February 2, 2021, the male asked whether what he was sending was too young, in response to which Mr Edwards told him not to send any underage images, the court heard. Edwards is set to face sentencing on September 16.