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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

When is the BBC going to square up to Huw Edwards?

106 replies

teddyandgypsy · 19/09/2023 11:42

I gather HW is still in hiding in some convenient private facility whilst he waits for the BBC and the public to forgive and forget. I hope this is not going to happen and I would like to know how much longer the taxpayer-funded state broadcaster is going to keep the guy on full salary, yet suspended from duty. For me this is a matter of public concern.

I have no interest in whether HW has committed criminal acts - I rather suspect he is far too buttoned-up to do anything other than look - but he is suspended pending an investigation into behaviour incompatible with his position and that has brought his employer into disrepute. The BBC seem to be locked in limbo on this one but it needs an end.

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 19/09/2023 11:46

Matter of public concern my arse. How telling that you have zero interest in whether he’s guilty or not.

Slothlikemum · 19/09/2023 11:47

He's sick so entitled to be treated and paid subject to his contract and related policies. And any follow up will then be conducted in line with those relevant policies. Public opinion (yours) doesn't trump employment rights and due process.

CwmYoy · 19/09/2023 11:48

You're the type who knitted at the guillotine, OP. It isn't a good look.

CantThinkOfANameAtAll · 19/09/2023 11:49

So you want an employer to badger someone who is in a medical facility??? 😱

MarathonBarbie · 19/09/2023 11:53

Seems like an employment issue to me, his employer will have far more far more information on his condition than the ‘interested’ public and can treat the issue under their own policies without having to make everything public.

KimberleyClark · 19/09/2023 11:54

You want him publicly punished and humiliated even more than he already has been do you?

Whataretheodds · 19/09/2023 11:57

how much longer the taxpayer-funded state broadcaster is going to keep the guy on full salary, yet suspended from duty.
Depends what their sickness/disciplinary policy and contract of employment says. How do you know he's still on full salary?

Why do they need to square up to him? Don't they need to investigate any new allegations and deal with them accordingly if he is found to have breached his contract? If there's not grounds for dismissal then they cannot legally dismiss him.

RandomButtons · 19/09/2023 11:58

Give over. The allegations against him really are minor- nothing illegal so no police. He’s in a mental facility, he’ll most likely have lost his job when he comes out, why should he be badgered more than that?

Ponoka7 · 19/09/2023 11:58

KimberleyClark · 19/09/2023 11:54

You want him publicly punished and humiliated even more than he already has been do you?

Well he's committed a criminal offence by trying to pay a underage teen for sexually explicit photos, so yes, he needs further punishment.
He developed MH issues after being caught. He might not have the appearance of Russell Brand, so everyone is ok with H m being a sex offender, but some of us don't judge on appearance. You wouldn't get this consideration in any other job. You'd have to be giving them a point of return or hand in your resignation. I agree OP that he's giving it enough time for his victims to be over a acceptable age and his wife public forgiveness.

Comtesse · 19/09/2023 12:00

Yabu. If he’s in hospital then he should be left to focus on getting better.

Ponoka7 · 19/09/2023 12:00

RandomButtons · 19/09/2023 11:58

Give over. The allegations against him really are minor- nothing illegal so no police. He’s in a mental facility, he’ll most likely have lost his job when he comes out, why should he be badgered more than that?

Offering payment to someone under 18 for pictures of a pornografic nature is illegal. Then there was threatening texts to a 17 year old. This is a 62 year old.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 19/09/2023 12:01

Why would the BBC get involved?

They didn’t give a shite when Brand was ‘misbehaving’ and they actively covered up Saville’s crimes.

Are you suggesting the BBC has morales? Because I think you may end up disappointed.

Fairyliz · 19/09/2023 12:05

He’s in a private facility; he’s not been sectioned by the NHS.
If you’ve got the money anyone can go in for help with their ‘mental health’. Sounds like he’s avoiding the fallout for his behaviour.

UpTheAnte · 19/09/2023 12:06

Ponoka7 · 19/09/2023 11:58

Well he's committed a criminal offence by trying to pay a underage teen for sexually explicit photos, so yes, he needs further punishment.
He developed MH issues after being caught. He might not have the appearance of Russell Brand, so everyone is ok with H m being a sex offender, but some of us don't judge on appearance. You wouldn't get this consideration in any other job. You'd have to be giving them a point of return or hand in your resignation. I agree OP that he's giving it enough time for his victims to be over a acceptable age and his wife public forgiveness.

He did not 'develop MH issues after being caught'. He has a long standing history of problems but your bloodlust seems to have got in the way.
Your assumptions about other jobs not giving 'this consideration' are equally unfounded. Kindly, please just jog on by.

HJ40 · 19/09/2023 12:06

I haven't googled, but didn't the police decide there was nothing for them to investigate further? In which case it would then be down to employer disciplinary process which won't happen while he's off sick.

Sparklesocks · 19/09/2023 12:08

i don’t think any of us know enough of the details to make a judgement. We have no idea what the BBC are doing and what the situation is. How do you know he ‘only developed MH issues after’. Do you know him personally? Have you treated him? you can’t just make blanket statements about what should and shouldnt happen based on information you’ve pulled out of your backside.

HJ40 · 19/09/2023 12:08

I don't share the 'blood lust' but I'm a believer in proper process rather than trial by media HOWEVER I also don't think MH can excuse bad behaviour. Some posters seem to be heading that way...

IvorTheEngineDriver · 19/09/2023 12:08

💤

AmyDudley · 19/09/2023 12:12

He developed MH issues after being caught.

No he didn't he has suffered from severe depression for many year, and has been open about it long before any of this happened.

I'm not excusing what he did, but none of us know the full details, it is a matter for his employer and possibly the police, not a matter of public concern.
It feels as if some people will not be happy unless the man takes his own life, that's the reality but no one wants to actually come out and admit that they love that kind of drama. Disgusting vultures who thrive on the downfall of others.

Ponoka7 · 19/09/2023 12:14

Sparklesocks · 19/09/2023 12:08

i don’t think any of us know enough of the details to make a judgement. We have no idea what the BBC are doing and what the situation is. How do you know he ‘only developed MH issues after’. Do you know him personally? Have you treated him? you can’t just make blanket statements about what should and shouldnt happen based on information you’ve pulled out of your backside.

Edited

Well he put on a bloody good act if he was mentally ill enough to use it as an excuse to coerse a minor into sexual acts. This happened recently, not twenty years ago, so why is he blameless, but Brand, who speaks out about his MH struggles isn't? There's three allegations outstanding against HE, all teenagers. He's forty five years older and married.

dontbenastyhaveapasty · 19/09/2023 12:15

Ponoka7 · 19/09/2023 12:00

Offering payment to someone under 18 for pictures of a pornografic nature is illegal. Then there was threatening texts to a 17 year old. This is a 62 year old.

If you remember, the press interest fizzled out at the time because the police said nothing illegal had happened and they’d closed their investigation.

Then the Sun (or whoever it was) tried to change the story a bit to pretend they’d never meant anything had happened with anyone underage.

I have no idea why you’re getting your knickers in a twist about what a newsreader may or may not have done with other adults in his spare time. I’m pretty sure that earning a salary from the BBC doesn’t prevent you from having a sex life. There’s no public interest as far as I can see.

Ponoka7 · 19/09/2023 12:15

AmyDudley · 19/09/2023 12:12

He developed MH issues after being caught.

No he didn't he has suffered from severe depression for many year, and has been open about it long before any of this happened.

I'm not excusing what he did, but none of us know the full details, it is a matter for his employer and possibly the police, not a matter of public concern.
It feels as if some people will not be happy unless the man takes his own life, that's the reality but no one wants to actually come out and admit that they love that kind of drama. Disgusting vultures who thrive on the downfall of others.

Many agree, which is why some of us haven't like Russell Brand's trial by media.

Cosyblankets · 19/09/2023 12:16

How is it any of your business?

UpTheAnte · 19/09/2023 12:16

HJ40 · 19/09/2023 12:08

I don't share the 'blood lust' but I'm a believer in proper process rather than trial by media HOWEVER I also don't think MH can excuse bad behaviour. Some posters seem to be heading that way...

Nope, two entirely separate things.

Merely pointing out that OP's assumptions are just that.

BIossomtoes · 19/09/2023 12:17

HJ40 · 19/09/2023 12:08

I don't share the 'blood lust' but I'm a believer in proper process rather than trial by media HOWEVER I also don't think MH can excuse bad behaviour. Some posters seem to be heading that way...

The law doesn’t agree with you. Mental illness can and is used as mitigation in numerous defences. Edwards has a history of poor mental health going back over a decade. These witch hunts disgust me.