Huw Edwards, a former BBC newsreader, has not repaid around PS200,000 of salary after his arrest and resignation.
Edwards was asked to refund the salary he received between his arrest and resignation in April 2024, when he pleaded guilty last year to the charges of accessing images of indecent children.
The BBC was criticized for continuing to pay the presenter who, up until this point, had been receiving the full PS475,000 per year as per the policy it has for paying employees under suspension.
Samir Shah, the BBC’s chairperson, has revealed that Edwards “is not willing” to repay the money despite many requests.
Yesterday (4 March), Shah and BBC Director General Tim Davie faced questions from the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee regarding the BBC’s work and culture.
Shah told the MPs that “there was a time when we thought he would do the right thing, but then he chose not to.”
“It is frustrating, because I believe he should’ve done it. He could still do this. It’s wrong. “He should refund the money he took from licence fee payers. He knew exactly what he had done.
The committee asked questions about BBC’s response regarding complaints against other former high-profile employees, including Tim Westwood or Russell Brand.
The BBC apologized for failing to address the behavior of the former Radio 1 DJ Westwood who was accused sexual misconduct and bullying.
It apologized to its staff in January for failing to investigate complaints about the behavior of brand who was also accused of serious sexual misconduct.
Shah told the MPs, “We have to ensure that the BBC is modern.” “People working for the BBC feel that they can voice any concerns they may have, that these will be addressed, and no one at the BBC is invulnerable.”
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Edwards received a six-month suspended sentence after admitting to the charges. He was also placed on the register of sex offenders for seven years.
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