By Lucy Caulkett-
The resignation of disgraced former news presenter Huw Edwards(pictured) from the BBC has revived disturbing questions from the family of a young girl who was paid heavily for sexually explicit photographs.
Edwards had enjoyed an illustrious 40-year career before news that he had paid a 17 year old drug addict £35,00o for sexually explicit photos of herself, putting his career in jeopardy, and forcing the BBC to suspend him at the time.
The announcement of his resignation due to medical advice is seen by critics as a guise to avoid the formal announcement that he could not return to business as usual after the scandal.
A BBC spokesperson yesterday(Monday) said: “Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC. After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.
“The BBC has accepted his resignation, which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further.”
The 62 year old veteran newsreader was suspended by the broadcaster in July last year over allegations he received inappropriate images from a younger person and gave them money.
Monday’s announcement came three weeks after the Times reported that Edwards was to be named as the corporation’s highest-paid newsreader in July’s annual accounts, having earned up to £439,000 last year despite his suspension.
His wife, Vicky Flind, confirmed her husband was the unidentified man at the centre of allegations in relation to paying a a 17 year old crack cocaine addict for explicit photos.
She said he was suffering from mental health issues.
For the family of the young girl, questions linger, wounds remain raw, and the path to healing seems uncertain.
Today, the family told The Sun they still have many unanswered questions.
Calling for the BBC to be investigated over the scandal, the anonymised mother of the young child said the entire affair had ripped the family apart, and called for answers from the BBC.
She said she wanted to know whether Edwards had cooperated in their misconduct probe, following news he was suspended on full pay since it began.
Revelation that the family’s complaints were not flagged to senior managers has further raised alarm, questioning the integrity of those who received the complaints.
The mother of the young girl has made it clear there is no closure for them without answers.
It remains to be seen whether the BBC keeps the dirt to fester away under the carpet.