by Robert Peston paid tribute to Huw Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, on his show following her statement revealing that her husband was the BBC presenter accused of paying for sexual images.
Flind, who produces Peston’s show on ITV, issued a statement on Wednesday evening citing her husband as the star at the center of the scandal, saying he was suffering from “serious mental health problems” and is now receiving inpatient hospital care.
At the start of his show on the same night, Peston made his own statement related to the scandal, echoing comments made by Member of Parliament Jess Phillips, who described Flind as the “kindest, kindest and most decent woman”.
In the statement, which he also shared on Twitter, Peston said: “As a journalist, I’ve pretty much spent my entire career weighing up stories as to whether they’re really in the public interest or just of interest to the public.
“I’ve been thinking about this a lot, following the allegations in the Sun newspaper about a BBC presenter and a young person, and a relationship between them that their parents claimed was harmful and possibly illegal.
“Tonight we heard from the Met Police that they had found no evidence of crime.
Shortly afterwards, Vicky Flind made a public statement that the presenter is her husband, one of the industry’s most famous presenters Huw Edwards, who I worked very closely with when I was at the BBC.
Read more: Huw Edwards: The BBC’s trusted voice for Britain’s most historic moments
“What few of you will know is that Vicky Flind is the editor of this show, and the person who co-created it with me – though she may not be involved tonight or at all this week.
Labor MP Jess Phillips described Vicky tonight as the nicest, kindest and most decent woman.
“I and everyone who works here with me agree. It was hard to feel what she and her family went through — and to read her statement that Huw was hospitalized with acute depression.”
Watch: Broadcaster Huw Edwards named by wife as BBC presenter at center of scandal
He added: “None of this is intended to comment on complaints filed against Huw – or even to answer the question of whether people and their families may have been injured. I don’t know what Huw did, or why.
“However, the question is whether – if it remains clear that no crime was committed according to the police – there was a public interest in publishing the original story and subsequent coverage.”
“Although at this point I have to say that Vicky would just tell me to get on with the show. So we will.”
TV producer Flind has worked on BBC’s This Week political show and Robert Peston’s ITV programme, Peston.
Journalists and high-profile media figures were among those who showed support for Edwards after he was appointed on Wednesday.
Former Downing Street press secretary Alastair Campbell said he hoped Edwards and his family would be given privacy.
Former BBC News North America editor Jon Sopel also sent his best wishes to Edwards after saying earlier on Wednesday that he disagreed with the then-anonymous presenter coming forward, and BBC World presenter John Simpson said that he “feels so much compassion for everyone involved”. in the issue including Edwards.
He wrote on Twitter: “No criminal offenses were committed so it’s a purely personal tragedy for all involved. Let’s hope the press leaves them all alone now.”
