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News & politics

BBC presenter allegations.

(936 Posts)
Kandinsky Sun 09-Jul-23 13:10:49

I know the last thread was taken down at the op’s request - but if anyone wants to continue discussing this major news item I’ve started this one.

growstuff Wed 12-Jul-23 22:59:36

Casdon

I may be wrong, but reading between the lines of his wife’s statement I think his mental health state amounts to more than a breakdown caused by the truth having been found out. This isn’t a Philip Schofield situation.

Huw Edwards did this interview with Alastair Campbell in 2022:

www.menshealth.com/uk/mental-strength/a40087692/huw-edwards-depression-mental-health/

He discusses depression, which he has suffered from for 20 years.

sharon103 Wed 12-Jul-23 23:00:48

Germanshepherdsmum

You do love talking of the tumbrel and the tricoteuses don’t you NanaDana?

Some of us are trying to come to terms with the reality behind the man who appeared on our screens to deliver the news each evening and commentated on important State events such as the late Queen’s death and funeral with such gravitas. He was a trusted figure. It has almost been a betrayal of trust. Had he not been outed he would be carrying on as usual. Now he has scurried off to hospital with a breakdown caused by the truth having been found out. Despicable.

Well said. GSM

Kandinsky Wed 12-Jul-23 23:05:06

Yes - good post GSM

Foxygloves Wed 12-Jul-23 23:09:24

DaisyAnneReturns

Doodledog, I don't know who you quoted, you didn't say, but a phrase in common use is "innocent until proven guilty". There has been next to no presumption of innocence on here, just some perverted delight in the suggestion of guilt based on no real evidence.

Well no DaisyAnne - largely because he, through his wife’s statement, has indicated culpability.
Admitted it in other words.

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 12-Jul-23 23:12:17

MayBee70

I was going to say that one day something like this will result in suicide and then I remembered what happened to Caroline Flack.

Indeed MayBee.

I wonder what explanation, those who trivialise depression would give, for doctors still feeling the need to use ECT in an attempt to save people's lives, when they have deep seated depression.

I also wonder why, having disbelieved those being open about their depression, they are surprised when people mask it at work and for years.

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 12-Jul-23 23:13:51

Germanshepherdsmum

No wriggling here Daisy. You’re hearing things. I wish you a good night.

And you, once an officer of the law, still offer no evidence.

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 12-Jul-23 23:18:37

Foxygloves

DaisyAnneReturns

Doodledog, I don't know who you quoted, you didn't say, but a phrase in common use is "innocent until proven guilty". There has been next to no presumption of innocence on here, just some perverted delight in the suggestion of guilt based on no real evidence.

Well no DaisyAnne - largely because he, through his wife’s statement, has indicated culpability.
Admitted it in other words.

How? Please explain which bit of her statement did indicated/admitted culpability?

Kate1949 Wed 12-Jul-23 23:18:54

No one is trivialising depression. As mentioned, I have it. I have masked it all my life. My brother didn't survive it and had ECT during his treatment, which didnt work. I do not dispute that Huw has depression. However, I question whether it has caused him to (allegedly) behave in the way suggested.

Maggiemaybe Wed 12-Jul-23 23:19:08

MayBee70

I was going to say that one day something like this will result in suicide and then I remembered what happened to Caroline Flack.

This is the worry, MayBee. The constant dead weight for someone in the public eye waking up every morning feeling that the whole world is gossiping about and condemning them just proves too much for some people. Even those with robust mental health.

Callistemon21 Wed 12-Jul-23 23:20:56

DaisyAnneReturns

MayBee70

I was going to say that one day something like this will result in suicide and then I remembered what happened to Caroline Flack.

Indeed MayBee.

I wonder what explanation, those who trivialise depression would give, for doctors still feeling the need to use ECT in an attempt to save people's lives, when they have deep seated depression.

I also wonder why, having disbelieved those being open about their depression, they are surprised when people mask it at work and for years.

Do you mean the suicide of the young person(s) involved?

How would you feel if this was a young member of your family?

I feel sorry for all concerned, especially Huw Edwards's wife and family.
She is the only one so far to remain dignified.

growstuff Wed 12-Jul-23 23:21:18

Kate1949

No one is trivialising depression. As mentioned, I have it. I have masked it all my life. My brother didn't survive it and had ECT during his treatment, which didnt work. I do not dispute that Huw has depression. However, I question whether it has caused him to (allegedly) behave in the way suggested.

Has anybody suggested that?

Nevertheless, the situation he now finds himself in might very well have triggered a depressive episode.

Doodledog Wed 12-Jul-23 23:23:30

DaisyAnneReturns

Doodledog, I don't know who you quoted, you didn't say, but a phrase in common use is "innocent until proven guilty". There has been next to no presumption of innocence on here, just some perverted delight in the suggestion of guilt based on no real evidence.

I quoted you at 22:33 this evening. Can you not remember your own posts?

Can you please supply proof of your suggestion that people on here are perverted? Or that anyone is taking 'delight' in any of this for that matter? You do seem to be living in your own head when it comes to this.

MayBee70The Caroline Flack situation was very sad, but all the more so because people keep using the poor woman's death to deflect allegations or consequences. Many, many people have MH issues and do not commit crime, or pretend to be happily married family men whilst having sex with much younger men. To use the threat of suicide to stop people investigating wrongdoing is a huge disservice to those people. If someone posted that they didn't trust someone (anyone, not HE in particular) because they have suffered from depression they would rightly be jumped on, but that is exactly what would happen if depressives were somehow immune from criticism or prosecution.

Dickens Wed 12-Jul-23 23:24:19

DaisyAnneReturns

The only thing I am saying (not attributing) is that you, and others, seem totally unable to say "I do not know. There are no facts".

Here are the comments I've made today regarding this matter. Do these not suggest to you that I am concerned with FACTS... particularly my last comment?

And the truth will only be established when there has been a thorough and proper investigation.
Wed 12-Jul-23 18:14:34

Both the BBC and The Sun have some questions to answer. If both had behaved / responded differently, it might have been possible to avoid the intense speculation that has inevitably followed.
Wed 12-Jul-23 15:39:37

We discuss, debate and speculate on what we know, and I think most of us, again, are aware that allegations are just that... claims / accusations, and they are not necessarily true.
Wed 12-Jul-23 08:15:02

I'm content to wait for the facts.
Wed 12-Jul-23 08:24:23

Now I ask again, would you please stop making ill-found allegations against me - implying that I'm somehow averse to the truth and facts?

Kate1949 Wed 12-Jul-23 23:25:09

Yes DaisyAnne posted 'those who trivialise depression'.

Callistemon21 Wed 12-Jul-23 23:26:32

Maggiemaybe

MayBee70

I was going to say that one day something like this will result in suicide and then I remembered what happened to Caroline Flack.

This is the worry, MayBee. The constant dead weight for someone in the public eye waking up every morning feeling that the whole world is gossiping about and condemning them just proves too much for some people. Even those with robust mental health.

I would have thought this behaviour, which was exploitative if not illegal, was out of character but none of us knew the person behind the calm, steady face and voice we heard and saw on our screens. He brought professionalism and gravitas to many occasions but this may explain why he has looked strained, tired and, frankly, older lately.

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 12-Jul-23 23:31:19

Kate1949

No one is trivialising depression. As mentioned, I have it. I have masked it all my life. My brother didn't survive it and had ECT during his treatment, which didnt work. I do not dispute that Huw has depression. However, I question whether it has caused him to (allegedly) behave in the way suggested.

No, you may not have done, but some people definitely did.

I'm not sure that anyone was saying that depression led to any particular behavior. You don't explain what you mean by saying "behave in the way suggested". Who suggested? What did they suggest?

I, and several others, specifically said that we did not think depression would "make" people behave appropriately. The worst, I would guess, that could happen is if it moved to paranoia. People could hurt somebody else while trying to defend themselves from what they thought was happening.

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 12-Jul-23 23:36:30

Doodledog

DaisyAnneReturns

Doodledog, I don't know who you quoted, you didn't say, but a phrase in common use is "innocent until proven guilty". There has been next to no presumption of innocence on here, just some perverted delight in the suggestion of guilt based on no real evidence.

I quoted you at 22:33 this evening. Can you not remember your own posts?

Can you please supply proof of your suggestion that people on here are perverted? Or that anyone is taking 'delight' in any of this for that matter? You do seem to be living in your own head when it comes to this.

MayBee70The Caroline Flack situation was very sad, but all the more so because people keep using the poor woman's death to deflect allegations or consequences. Many, many people have MH issues and do not commit crime, or pretend to be happily married family men whilst having sex with much younger men. To use the threat of suicide to stop people investigating wrongdoing is a huge disservice to those people. If someone posted that they didn't trust someone (anyone, not HE in particular) because they have suffered from depression they would rightly be jumped on, but that is exactly what would happen if depressives were somehow immune from criticism or prosecution.

No, you put a phrase in quotes but didn't reference it Doodledog. I didn't recognise it so I asked.

Would you like me to reply to you in the same style you did to me, or shall we not do that?

DaisyAnneReturns Wed 12-Jul-23 23:43:13

Callistemon21

Maggiemaybe

MayBee70

I was going to say that one day something like this will result in suicide and then I remembered what happened to Caroline Flack.

This is the worry, MayBee. The constant dead weight for someone in the public eye waking up every morning feeling that the whole world is gossiping about and condemning them just proves too much for some people. Even those with robust mental health.

I would have thought this behaviour, which was exploitative if not illegal, was out of character but none of us knew the person behind the calm, steady face and voice we heard and saw on our screens. He brought professionalism and gravitas to many occasions but this may explain why he has looked strained, tired and, frankly, older lately.

Which behaviour? People keep being suggestive about "this behaviour" in this way but nobody seems to be prepared to reference what "behaviour".

Dickens Thu 13-Jul-23 00:33:22

DaisyAnneReturns

Are you the forum watchdog? 🐶

You appear to be patrolling so many comments!

Mollygo Thu 13-Jul-23 02:49:43

DaisyAnneReturns
Which behaviour? People keep being suggestive about "this behaviour" in this way but nobody seems to be prepared to reference what "behaviour".

The behaviour that started this thread. If you don’t know what that is, I don’t understand why you are commenting on this thread at all.

NanaDana Thu 13-Jul-23 05:33:18

Just quietly thinking this morning of all those who have been so badly damaged by this tragic situation, and will continue to suffer for the foreseeable future. And yes, I do mean ALL.. even the alleged perpetrator at the centre of it. May they all continue to be supported by family, friends and MH professionals as they struggle to rebuild something from the wreckage. As an aside... DaisyAnne, I'd just leave it. I understand your frustration and disappointment, but it's pointless, and isn't going to change anything.

vegansrock Thu 13-Jul-23 05:58:50

Man meets a younger man on a dating app. They don’t meet. Nothing illegal happens. We are obsessed with this, I know Huw E was a national icon, a talented broadcaster and all that - but is it worthy of such huge coverage and speculation? What about - Johnson’s phone; mortgage costs; NHS; strikes by doctors, teachers & railworkers; inflation; govt’s Illegal Immigration Bill; sewage in all our rivers & along the beaches; missing millions for useless PPE; MPs ditching their constituencies while drawing full pay & expenses, the climate crisis…….

Calendargirl Thu 13-Jul-23 06:26:40

It seems such a shock because as many have said, Huw was on our tv screens on so many important occasions, providing gravitas, wisdom, insight into so many milestones of life.

Makes you wonder what a strain it must have been, to come across like this with so many other issues whirling round.

Cannot visualise how he kept up this professional life whilst all this was going on, it must have been unimaginable for those who lived with him.

A Jekyll and Hyde existence maybe.

Ailidh Thu 13-Jul-23 06:27:22

A man has a sex life that some view as seedy but two police forces have found not to be illegal.

A man has a recorded history of severe depression.

The two things exist at the same time but there has been no claim that the behaviour has been caused by the mental health.

A week of being hunted through the media, by the media, with bloodlust and a triumphant Gotcha! ("Huw Edwards OUTED by his wife") has brought on a severe MH episode for which he is now hospitalized.

Of course there are questions about the young person, about their health, about why their estranged parents did what they did. Principally questions about why The Sun, a "newspaper" not fit to lìne the budgie's cage, is allowed to exist.

In the meantime, I'm settling for compassion for the whole Edwards family, and especially for Huw Edwards himself.

tickingbird Thu 13-Jul-23 06:44:07

Doodledog
Many, many people have MH issues but do not commit crime, or pretend to be happily married family men whilst having sex with much younger men

You can’t help yourself can you? Are you going to stop fantasising and deal with facts. There’s been zero evidence any sex with younger men took place and the man that alleges Huw Edwards visited him states all he wanted was for him to make him a cup of tea. There’s an allegation that explicit photographs were bought from the first young man. That seems to be it unless you know something the rest of us don’t?