The BBC director general, Tim Davie, has come forward to defend the corporation's decision not to dismiss prominent newsreader Huw Edwards, despite having knowledge of his arrest in November on charges related to indecent images of children. In an interview with BBC News on Thursday, Davie emphasized that the BBC had made difficult decisions in a fair and judicious manner.

Davie acknowledged that the BBC was kept informed of the seriousness of the allegations against Edwards, but no specific details were disclosed. The corporation's management was unaware of the ages of the children involved in the images. Edwards, once the face of BBC news, recently pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. However, Davie clarified that the BBC was not provided with the specific details by the police.

The arrest of Edwards came to light earlier this week, shocking the BBC management. Davie explained that the corporation was not informed about the specifics of the case until recently, which was deeply disturbing. When questioned about why Edwards was not terminated upon his arrest, Davie stated that the police had requested utmost confidentiality to carry out their investigations effectively, leaving the BBC with no grounds to take immediate action against Edwards.

Davie emphasized the importance of considering Edwards' duty of care and the need to allow the police to conclude their work before making any decisions. The director general stressed that the BBC's decision in November was not impulsive but made after careful consideration. He acknowledged that past experiences had shown instances where individuals were arrested but not charged, leading the BBC to exercise caution.

Regarding Edwards' pay rise despite being off air for the majority of the previous financial year, Davie clarified that the increase was related to his extended scope of work at the BBC and had been agreed upon before any allegations came to light. Recovering the pay increase and pension benefits would be challenging, legally and practically, but Davie assured that the BBC would explore all available options.

Davie addressed concerns about the BBC's internal investigation into Edwards, stating that they had not withheld any information that should have been shared with the police. He affirmed that if any evidence were discovered implicating Edwards further, the decision to hand it over would be straightforward.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had informed the BBC about Edwards' arrest in November, emphasizing the strict confidentiality under which such information is shared with employers. Common law police disclosure allows the police to notify an individual's employer when they are arrested or accused of an offense, particularly if they hold positions of trust or responsibility.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock and appallment at the charges against Edwards. The newsreader admitted possessing 41 indecent images of children, which had been sent to him via WhatsApp by a convicted paedophile named Alex Williams.

As the controversy surrounding Huw Edwards continues, the decision made by the BBC not to terminate his employment at the time of his arrest remains a topic of debate. The corporation, under the leadership of Tim Davie, stands firm in its stance that confidentiality and duty of care played vital roles in their decision-making process.