Huw Edwards arrives at court this morning

It is interesting going back to what led to his initial leaving the BBC.

If you read this article in the Daily Mail it's sympathetic/Depression based and includes a statement by the police they weren't taking further action at the time as regards the young man. ie not charges or possibility of being sacked by the BBC (and therefore not paying him tho I dont agree either)

This is what we were all led to believe back then, I think the article is fairly representative of the narrative:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12296291/Huw-Edwards-spoke-openly-20-year-battle-depression-left-bedridden.html

Now a year later we find out that the police have in fact conducted further investigations and the truth is out and charges being brought.

Yes collecting images of that kind is a perversion not evidence of mental illness. As I understand it he had no personal contact with any of the boys. All online.
Never struck me as weird. I’d have said very good at his job.

I believe there was some saga about these contacts being made in his own time, therefore nothing to do with the BBC (unlike Jimmy Savile), who should not have reacted so precipitously. That prob explains the pay rise.

pascal30

I really think that this labelling by the press of anyone who does something criminal as having MH issues and using it almost as an excuse is doing a big disservice to people who have a genuine Mental illness and are truly struggling to live normal lives..

This ✔

I really think that this labelling by the press of anyone who does something criminal as having MH issues and using it almost as an excuse is doing a big disservice to people who have a genuine Mental illness and are truly struggling to live normal lives..

He was supposed to have had a history of depression.. I really don't believe that caused him to become a paedophile.. much more likely the prospect of being exposed caused a reactive depression. If indeed he is truly mentally unwell..

BlueBelle

*surely all abusers are mentally unwell? doesn't it go with the territory*
no Janejudge I don’t believe child molesters /abusers are mentally ill they have a sexual deviation which they choose to act on.

They know it's wrong and they could exercise self-control and seek help.
They choose not to.
They are evil predators.

surely all abusers are mentally unwell? doesn't it go with the territory
no Janejudge I don’t believe child molesters /abusers are mentally ill they have a sexual deviation which they choose to act on.

I would never, ever go by appearances. As mentioned many times, my father was handsome, engaging, articulate man to outsiders. Behind closed doors he was a violent, abusive, selfish, alcoholic who terrorised his family. He didn't blame his mental health. He didn't blame anything. He just did what he wanted and stuff everyone else.

I feel so sorry for his family. The person they no doubt thought they knew is someone else. This happened in my family and it ripped it apart. He used mental health as an excuse and his wife believed him except it turned out she had rules in place to ensure he was never left with her children's friends after an incident. What she didn't put into place was that he was never left with her own children or their children. She stayed with him even though he went to prison so that was 2 people lost to the children and grandchildren.

I didn't have any opinions of him, negative or otherwise. I always remember my late mum thinking Rolf Harris was some sort of national treasure apropos of Animal Hospital. I'm glad she never found out the truth. If someone is a public face they're hardly likely to reveal the darker side of their character if they have one.

He has put in a guilty plea. Whether there were whispers or not he has admitted it.

I liked him as a newsreader but was disappointed about his behaviour.
It's not mental health issues it's a sick perversion. His family should be rid of him what a good life he must have had now he has ruined it.

Well, seeing as the prisons are overflowing….

A man in our village committed very similar crimes to HE. He got about 3 years in prison and put on the sex offenders list. He only did half that in prison though.

His wife maintains his innocence to this day and said a relative somehow put these images on his phone and computer. She also tried to blame it on mental health as most do.

Strange that no whispers before 2020/2022

Aveline

I just always liked him. He seemed such a pleasant and empathetic newsreader. He was so good during the Queen's last day.
Hearing this dreadful information about his nasty proclivities just goes to show that who we see on TV are just performers. Their presentation is just that. Not an insight into their true personality. His poor family.

My thoughts also. I certainly never thought he was ‘weird’, unlike Jimmy Saville, who most definitely was.

Hard to believe what came out about Huw Edwards. I think all his fellow newsreaders were absolutely shocked about it all.

Grandma70s

It must be very difficult, though, if one’s natural proclivities are of a forbidden nature and there is no legitimate outlet. Homosexuality used to come into that bracket, though thankfully no longer.

If we are born with ‘normal’ needs and desires, we should be grateful for our easy life.

These are different issues. You cannot choose your sexuality, you are heterosexual or you are gay. This is no longer a crime to be who you are.
Paedophilia always has a victim, a child who has not reached sexual maturity regardless of their sexuality.
Paedophilia is a choice you undetake knowing that it is wrong and someone is suffering from it.
I don't understand your last sentence. What constitutes as 'normal' needs and desires. I would say anything that does not break the law or causes harm to others maybe?
I don't see this as an 'easy' life- all sexual activity involves moral choices, surely?

It must be very difficult, though, if one’s natural proclivities are of a forbidden nature and there is no legitimate outlet. Homosexuality used to come into that bracket, though thankfully no longer.

If we are born with ‘normal’ needs and desires, we should be grateful for our easy life.

Although I never warmed to HE - he always appeared the epitome of civilised values and probity.

He has now pleaded guilty to the charges - charges which are IMO the gravest. How can a man with children of his own be part of a circle that exploits other's children?

Men - at their basest level - put their predatory sexual gratification above every other consideration, regardless whether they are from a 'sink' council estate or leafy-wherever.

I have lost faith in men - long ago in fact - I will never trust 'appearances'.

GrannyGravy13

Doodledog

Maybe the boy who raised the alarm might get apologies from all the people who savagely undermined him for having a less than perfect background? No? Thought not.

I was surprised when it came out - HE never seemed dodgy to me - but that's the point, really. There is no template for sex offenders, which is why complaints should be taken seriously when they are voiced.

It wasn’t the boy(?) who made the complaint it was his parent/s

As I recall the boy(?) vehemently denied anything untoward had occurred.

Ah yes, you're right. Not that it matters to my point. What I remember is the family background being shredded and anyone mentioning safeguarding being told we were sensationalising and believing the tabloids.

It takes courage to stand up to someone with as big a name as HE, particularly if there are skeletons in the family cupboard that you know people will drag out and use against you. I hope I'd defend my children if they'd fallen victim to something like that, but it's not something that people do lightly.

JaneJudge

surely all abusers are mentally unwell? doesn't it go with the territory?

Depraved or violent or both, urges very likely are from a mentally unwell mind, especially those who actually act on those urges and actively enjoy what they do.
That may explain, but can never excuse.

I have suffered from depression on several occasions and have a daughter who has severe OCD, this connection being made between Edwards mental illness and his crimes is unhelpful, I imagine his illness was exacerbated by his predilection for sexual images of children but I don’t think it caused it.

I’m cross about the £40,000 a year increase in his salary, awarded just recently, which although he’s now left the BBC (I think) will certainly be reflected in his pension. No worries about the WFA for him on his inflated BBC pension. That’s our money being spent rewarding a paedophile. And some grans can barely afford to buy a television licence.

What's that saying? Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. Yes I am incredibly cynical, especially about 'celebs'.

Paedophilia isn't a mental illness- it is a manifestation of disordered sexual appetite and wicked thinking, an evil compulsion. He needs to serve his time and face the consequences of his actions.