BBC executives will spark “public outrage” if they sack Huw Edwards, a crisis management expert has warned the corporation – describing the veteran broadcaster as a “national treasure”.
Edward Coram-James was speaking after a tumultuous week triggered by a story in The Sun on Friday claiming an unnamed BBC presenter paid £35,000 for explicit photographs of a 17-year-old three years ago.
After days of frenzied speculation, Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, 59, released a statement on Wednesday confirming the article was referring to the 61-year-old anchorman, whom she said had been admitted to hospital with “serious mental health issues”.
On the same day, police confirmed there was no evidence suggesting a criminal offence had been committed, leaving the BBC free to continue with its internal investigation.
Mr Edwards has been suspended since Sunday, but has not resigned and intends to respond to the allegations when well enough, his wife has said.
Speaking to The Mirror, PR consultant Mr Coram-James said: “Edwards’s career can and will survive. The police have been clear that, after investigating the incident, no criminal behaviour has been found.
“In lieu of criminal behaviour, the BBC would cause public outrage were they to sack a man, considered by many to be a bit of a national treasure, that has not been accused of any criminality and who is clearly experiencing significant mental health issues, to the point of having been hospitalised.”
There would be a “public outcry” over Edwards’s treatment so far and an “an even greater PR meltdown” were he to be forced out, Mr Coram-James predicted.
The people who would feel the backlash would be the BBC, The Sun and “opportunistic politicians that jumped about 10 steps ahead of due process” by making public statements without knowing the full facts, he added.
BBC director-general Tim Davie will be grilled in Parliament about the corporation’s leadership after the furore, as the broadcaster’s long-time colleague Jon Sopel said Edwards was “very angry” about the coverage the story has been given.
Mr Davie, acting chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens and policy director Clare Sumner will appear before the Lords Communications Committee on Tuesday.
Despite the appearance being booked before the Edwards story broke, the Committee yesterday pledged to raise issues including “in light of recent events, what concerns have been raised about the adequacy of the BBC’s governance arrangements and how it is addressing these”.
Mr Davie has already ordered a review to “assess how some complaints are red flagged up the organisation”.
Meanwhile Nicky Campbell, one of several BBC presenters forced to deny they were the unnamed presenter in the face of frenzied social media speculation, addressed the issue in his BBC Radio 5 Live show yesterday morning.
He said: “What a saga this all is. It’s been very tough to cover here, obviously.
“Our thoughts have to be with all those who have suffered, the family who have suffered and Huw Edwards of course.”
Former Downing Street press secretary Alastair Campbell recounted how he and Edwards had spoken often about depression.
He said in a tweet on Wednesday evening: “Like virtually everyone else, I know absolutely nothing about the events that have led to the statement by Huw Edwards’ wife. But I do know that he is a superb broadcaster.
He continued: “I know too that he has a long history of depression.
“He and I have spoken about it often, including in an interview for MensHealthUK shortly before the Queen’s death which he covered so brilliantly.
“Precisely because he is both well known and well liked he is the perfect target for those who would undermine and indeed would like to destroy the BBC.”
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