Huw Edwards – latest: BBC bosses warn staff against ‘damaging’ gossip about suspended presenter

Describing the situation as a “disgrace”, former BBC North America editor Jon Sopel criticised a BBC Radio Four bulletin that broke the news of Mr Edwards’ hospitalisation before revealing fresh allegations.

“My own personal view is that this is a disgrace, if Huw walked in this room I’d give him a hug. It’s the first thing I’d do,” he said. “And by the way, the young person affected who I’m also very concerned about.”

In a discussion on their podcast The News Agents, former BBC presenters Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel questioned the broadcaster’s coverage of the allegations against Huw Edwards.

Describing it as “a bit distasteful”, Ms Maitlis questioned why BBC staff had not turned to HR if allegations had been made against him.

Mr Sopel added that sources within the BBC had informed him that there is “considerable disquiet” amongst staff, with many “distraught” at the coverage.

Hitting out at claims that Mr Edwards had sent flirtatious messages to staff, Ms Maitlis said: “Whilst you never want journalists to stop doing their job, you are in a weird place in that the way you raise a concern is not through a HR process, not through a complaints process but by breaking a story about them because they’re famous.”

Suspended BBC presenter Huw Edwards is facing several allegations against him after being accused last week of paying a young person for sexually explicit photos.

Here are all the allegations made against the TV star:

The vice-chancellor of Cardiff University has said all those involved should now be allowed the right to privacy.

Professor Colin Riordan said: “It is hard to imagine how distressing the events of the last few days must have been for Huw, his family and friends, those bringing the allegations and their families,” he says in a statement.

“All have been pitched into the eye of a media storm that will, unfortunately, have long-lasting effects.

“I hope that Huw receives the support and treatment he needs and that in due course all outstanding issues can be addressed.”

Mr Edwards is an honorary fellow and professor at the university.

Huw Edwards’s wife, Vicky Flind, is a television producer who has worked on several shows such as ITV’s Peston.

Friends say she is “the kindest, most decent woman”:

BBC director general Tim Davie will be questioned in parliament about the corporation’s leadership, after mental-health charities called for Huw Edwards to be given support and treatment:

The family of the young person at the centre of the original allegations begged the BBC to make Mr Edwards “stop sending the cash,” according to The Sun.

As the newsreader was taken off air, other presenters denied being the person accused. A reminder:

Huw Edwards once described the King as “quite blunt with his views on things”.

The newsreader said he found it rather refreshing.

Of his marathon coverage of the Queen’s death, he said: “I ate a lot of bananas and I drank a lot of tea.”

A reminder of what happened after the claims emerged:

The claims against Huw Edwards are reportedly being treated like any other story, according to a BBC journalist involved in researching them.

The journalist suggested to The Guardian that BBC News was trying to prove its independence and impartiality from the corporate BBC by trying to drive the story forward.

Sources claim BBC journalists may have been making early inquiries into allegations of workplace impropriety against Mr Edwards without telling BBC News management they were investigating one of their own presenters.

The BBC is officially conducting “fact-finding investigations” into allegations against the veteran broadcaster.