Huw Edwards: I plan to challenge misleading or fabricated claims about me

Disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards has said he intends to “challenge the misleading or fabricated claims” made in recent coverage, and will “produce my own account”.

Edwards was one of the BBC’s highest-paid newsreaders, known for presenting the BBC’s News At Ten for decades, before pleading guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.

He was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Edwards was also the subject of a recent Channel 5 drama about his downfall, starring Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes.

He said in a statement: “Much has been written and reported in the past week following Channel 5’s one-sided account.

“Other opportunities will arise later this year for me to state my case, and to challenge the misleading or fabricated claims made in recent coverage.

“A number of serious questions still remain to be answered, and not just by me. It will now take some time for me to produce my own account, and until then I do not intend to comment any further.”

It is understood Edwards intends to make his own documentary or podcast series about the events.

Edwards previously claimed the production company behind the 5 drama, Wonderhood Studios, failed to check the “truth” of the narratives shown in the series, relating to allegations made by The Sun in July 2023 which claimed that a “top BBC star” paid a teenager more than £35,000 for sexual pictures.

Edwards added that he felt “deep regret and remorse” for his crimes and said his behaviour was “reckless, shameful, and damaging”.

A previous statement from Channel 5 said: “Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards is based on extensive interviews with the victim, his family, the journalists who revealed his story, text exchanges between the victim and Edwards, and court reporting.

“It has been produced in accordance with Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. All allegations made in the film were put to Huw Edwards via his solicitors six weeks before transmission.”