An insider has claimed there is no way back for Huw Edwards after his portrait has been removed from the BBC’s famous atrium.
Mr Edwards, 62, was suspended by the BBC in July after it was alleged that he paid a young person for sexual images.
He has also been accused of sharing inappropriate messages with fellow BBC staff.
Later, a police investigation found the veteran broadcaster had not done anything criminal and it has been reported that he will have the opportunity to respond at a later date.
Just before Mr Edwards was suspended by the BBC, his portrait was removed from the atrium, but it has not been replaced in the five months since.
Speaking to the Mirror, one BBC source said that the removal of Mr Edwards’ portrait was unrelated to the claims as portraits of Clive Myrie and Laura Kuenssberg were taken down at the same time.
They said: “You would have expected the picture to be rotated back again now, and it’s telling it hasn’t been.”
Furthermore, it has been claimed by BBC insiders that there is “no way back” for Mr Edwards following the accusations.
The speculation over Mr Edward’s position comes just days after it was announced that he would leave the BBC.
Mr Edwards has remained silent since the allegations were brought into the public domain by The Sun earlier this year.
The results of the subsequent inquiry have not been publicly revealed, but Mr Edwards is believed to be in discussions with his bosses over his future.
Speaking to the I, one insider said: “The review is in and unfortunately there isn’t a path back for Huw. There is no expectation he will return.”
Furthermore, a friend of Mr Edwards has claimed that he is “very cross” at how he has been treated by the BBC following the news of the allegations.
Speaking to GB News about Mr Edwards, former political correspondent John Sargeant said: “I’ve heard from some people that he’s just very cross. He’s very honest about the way he’s treated, very cross about what’s happened, but I mean, the overall result is just so sad.
“It is one of personal sadness and regret because he was an extremely talented man. I knew him in all these different guises and this is devastating.”
On how Mr Edwards would be perceived by the public in the future, Mr Sargeant said: “You then get to a position where when you’ve had this amount of publicity, bad publicity, every programmer of any sort is going to ask, ‘how will the public relate to this person, will they relate to him the same way as they used to?’
“And the answer is they won’t.”
