BBC star is named following ‘£35,000 explicit pictures scandal

A current employee said they were left with a ‘cold shudder’ after receiving messages about their appearance, while an ex-staff member claimed ‘late night’ texts which included ‘kisses’ constituted an ‘abuse of power’ by the newsreader.

Junior staff members told the BBC tonight that the presenter, 61, had sent ‘inappropriate messages’ to them – but also confirmed that they had not previously officially complained to the corporation.

It comes after Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, revealed him as being the presenter accused of paying £35,000 to a ‘vulnerable’ teenager in return for explicit photographs.

The Met Police confirmed it was no longer investigating the allegations against the seasoned BBC anchor as a ‘criminal offence’, shortly before she revealed his identity.

Speculation around the name of the presenter implicated in the allegations has been swirling since last week, and now it has been revealed as Edwards, stars have described the ‘shock’ gripping the corporation.

One senior figure at BBC News reportedly said: ‘There was a huge amount of shock that after so many days it all happened so suddenly. People are really upset and shaken.’

In the hours that followed, the three BBC employees – two who currently work at the broadcaster and one ex-staffer – came forward with claims.

BBC Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire said she spoke to one person who previously worked at the organisation.

‘This person told me they had never met the newsreader, this person said that they had received late night messages on social media including kisses from Huw Edwards, which they said they believed was an abuse of power.’

The presenter said her colleague had spoken to someone who still works at the corporation, ‘who told us that the presenter had sent them a message on social media commenting on their physical appearance, which gave them a ‘cold shudder’.

BBC News Special Correspondent Lucy Manning said: ‘There are questions for BBC bosses about the culture in the newsroom and the way that complaints can be raised and the way people feel comfortable or not to raise them.’

Two out of the three people said they felt they couldn’t report what they felt was innappropriate behaviour to BBC managers, the journalist said.

She said of her source: ‘This is someone who is very loyal to the BBC and they believe it is not just a problem for the BBC but across the whole industry.

She added: ‘The BBC responded tonight saying it is encouraging staff to come forward if they have concerns’.

The developments come after an extraordinary five days of speculation – which started when The Sun newspaper accused the presenter of sending cash to a teenager in return for sexual photographs.

Lucy Manning, special correspondent, revealed during her report for tonight’s News at Ten: ‘It’s been a very difficult day here in the BBC newsroom, some of the things we have had to report have been hard to hear.

‘The police have found no evidence of criminality but there is still a lot for the BBC to grapple with.’

She earlier reported: ‘A current BBC employee said this year they had received suggestive messages on social media from the presenter.

‘They believe the messages were inappropriate especially as the presenter was a much more senior colleague.

‘BBC News has seen the messages which refer to the BBC staff member’s appearance and they are flirtatious.

‘The BBC employee wants managers to be more proactive specifically towards younger staff who work with the presenter and to address who senior and junior members of staff interact.

‘They haven’t yet put in a formal complaint because of a desire to remain anonymous but might consider it.

She added: ‘Another BBC worker and a former one have also told Newsnight they received what they perceived to be more inappropriate social media messages from the presenter that made them feel uncomfortable.

‘One said they felt it was an abuse of power by someone very senior in the organisation. There has been no response from the presenter’s lawyers.’