CMS Committee writes to The Sun and BBC over protection of Huw Edwards allegations

Jul 25, 2023 at 11:45 AM

he Culture, Media and Sport Committee has written to The Sun and BBC over their “widespread coverage” of allegations made in opposition to presenter Huw Edwards.

Earlier this month, The Sun was the primary to report claims that veteran BBC broadcaster Edwards paid a youngster for sexually express pictures.

A letter to The Sun editor Victoria Newton asks her to elucidate what was accomplished to confirm the story and if there are any evaluations or discussions ongoing in regards to the newspaper’s procedures and reporting on this case and any wider classes to be discovered.

The letter, signed off by CMS chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage, mentioned: “Our role is not to challenge individual stories or editorial decisions, but we would be grateful if you could set out the processes by which The Sun verifies any story it chooses to report, especially those where issues of privacy may be at stake.”

It added: “Given the concerns that have been reported about inaccuracies, changing narratives and lack of engagement with some of the parties involved in the case of Mr Edwards, we would also be interested to understand what was done to verify this specific story and what, if any, reviews or discussions are ongoing about The Sun’s procedures and reporting in this case and any wider lessons to be learned.”

The letter additionally asks Newton to set out what investigations are happening into allegations made about former Sun journalist Dan Wootton, who has been accused of providing colleagues cash for sexual materials.