BBC admits it paid for Huw Edwards’ medical treatment after the disgraced presenter was suspended last year

The BBC has admitted paying for Huw Edwards’ medical treatment for the first time since he was suspended last year.

He refused to say how much he spent but the bill was likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Edwards, 63, was revealed last summer to have ‘serious mental health issues’ by his wife, who described him as the star facing allegations he paid a young person for racy photos.

This differed from a later case in which the former News At Ten presenter pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

In July last year, the presenter’s wife Vicky Flind, speaking after his suspension from the BBC, revealed that the star had previously been treated for depression and was now “going through another serious episode”, meaning he was receiving “inpatient care”.

However, documents released under Freedom of Information rules revealed that the company paid for Edwards’ healthcare after his suspension.

The BBC said: ‘We can confirm that the BBC paid Huw Edwards’ initial treatment costs immediately following his suspension from the BBC in July 2023.’

He added: ‘This was based on risk and duty of care assessments. ‘We can also confirm that this treatment took place in the UK.’

BBC admits paying for Huw Edwards’ medical treatment after suspending presenter

Although the company confirmed that it paid for healthcare services, it refused to disclose how much was spent on treatment and how much it paid.

The company acknowledged paying for the treatment for the first time after months of speculation. But the BBC refused to reveal how much was spent on the treatment and how much it paid out. He also refused to say how long the treatment lasted.

The BBC noted Ms Flind’s statement, which revealed she was receiving ‘inpatient care’.

Although it is not disclosed where Edwards is being treated, a high-end residential treatment center in London is currently offering personalized services for £25,000 a week. The BBC also refused to explain exactly why it paid for the treatment, citing ‘risk and duty of care considerations’.

He said releasing further information would ‘reveal the level and nature of treatment services’ which could cause ‘serious harm and distress to Mr Edwards’.

It is understood the BBC failed to pay for Edwards’ treatment after it became known that he was arrested last November.

Edwards became the BBC’s best-paid news presenter last year, receiving a £40,000 pay rise to £479,999 in the 12 months to the end of March. Last month, following these statements, it was reported that Ms. Flind filed for divorce.