THE BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie, has confirmed that discussions are under way regarding the potential recovery of £200,000 from disgraced former news presenter Huw Edwards. Despite the request, Edwards, from Carmarthenshire has yet to return the money. The BBC is seeking to claw back the salary Edwards continued to receive after being arrested last November on charges related to indecent images of children.

Speaking before the House of Lords communications and digital committee on Tuesday, Mr Davie stated: “We’ve made the formal request, and I can’t go into too much detail, but discussions are under way. The money should be returned, and we have made the request.”

When pressed by the committee’s chair, Baroness Stowell, on whether a deadline had been set for Edwards, Mr Davie confirmed no formal timeline had been imposed. “But we do expect to make progress and get an answer,” he added.

The BBC first made the request for repayment in August, following Edwards’ suspension in July 2023 and subsequent arrest in November on three counts of making indecent images of children. The corporation has indicated that legal avenues may be explored to recover the money, though Mr Davie acknowledged the difficulty of such an approach.

Edwards, once one of the BBC’s most prominent newsreaders, continued to draw his salary for five months after his arrest. He did not resign from his role at the BBC until April 2024, following his guilty plea to the charges.

In a letter to staff, BBC Chair Samir Shah condemned Edwards’ actions, stating that the former presenter had “behaved in bad faith” by continuing to accept his salary despite his criminal activities. “What Huw Edwards did damaged the reputation of the BBC,” Mr Shah remarked during the committee session. “It was a shock to find he was charged and had lived this double life. The person who betrayed the trust of the nation was Huw Edwards.”

The committee session also touched upon broader concerns regarding the BBC’s independence from government influence. Mr Shah expressed his belief that the government’s leverage over the corporation had damaged its global reputation in recent years. He argued that the BBC should aim to reduce this influence and instead focus its accountability on the public and licence fee payers.

“The BBC’s 14-strong board includes five non-executive directors appointed by the government. I’m not sure that’s the right balance, and I think we should think again about it,” said Mr Shah, reflecting on the influence exerted by government-appointed members.

Mr Shah’s comments come in the wake of previous controversies surrounding the BBC’s leadership. Richard Sharp, Mr Shah’s predecessor as chair, resigned in 2023 after a report criticised his failure to fully disclose his involvement in Boris Johnson’s personal financial dealings. Although Mr Sharp defended his actions, he ultimately stepped down to avoid being a distraction.

Additionally, former Downing Street head of communications, Sir Robbie Gibb, faced accusations of editorial interference after joining the BBC board in 2021.

Mr Shah also raised concerns about the BBC’s funding structure, particularly the impact of government-imposed duties. He highlighted the corporation’s responsibility for funding the World Service, which was transferred from the government to the BBC a decade ago. “We suddenly had to find £300m,” Mr Shah noted, adding that such financial burdens detract from the corporation’s ability to produce content.

“What matters most of all is the independence of the BBC,” he asserted. “We need to have a future funding model that ensures we are independent of that kind of action.”

A FORMER Pembrokeshire jeweller has admitted possessing an assortment of Category A drugs that was found at his workshop in Narberth.

Police officers executed a drugs warrant at The Rones Jewellery Repairs workshop, Old School Estate, Station Road and also at the home of the jeweller, Christopher Rone, of The Eagle Inn, Water Street, Narberth.

During the search which was carried out on December 15, 2023, officers discovered a quantity of Ecstasy (otherwise known as MDMA which is Class A), 0.385 grams of cocaine (Class A), 7.05 grams of magic mushrooms (otherwise known as Psilocybin which is also Class A), and a quantity of amphetamines (Class B).

This week Rone, 65, pleaded guilty to all charges of possession when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

“It’s very unusual to see four different types of drugs, as we have here,” said his solicitor, Mike Kelleher.

“He’d collected them for the Christmas period, the New Year and an upcoming birthday, but he assured me he’s not drug dependent. This was a one-off, and is never to be repeated.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that a full investigation was carried out by officers in relation to Rone’s mobile phone and bank account.

“As a result, officers concluded that the drugs were for his own personal use,” he said.

Rone was fined £360 and ordered to pay a £144 court surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the drugs.

POLICE in Narberth are appealing for witnesses after a violent altercation broke out on High Street last Thursday, 5th September 2024. The incident, which occurred around 3:45pm, involved several men fighting in the street.

As a result of the brawl, a 21-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. Police have since charged 29-year-old Dean McCartney with grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident. He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Saturday, 7th September, where he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for 7th October 2024.

Authorities believe there were numerous witnesses to the incident, as captured by CCTV footage, and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Those who can assist are encouraged to contact police online at this link, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. For those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, contact can be made via text on 07811 311 908.

When contacting police, please reference incident number 220 of the 5th September.

Alternatively, anyone wishing to remain anonymous can reach out to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website at crimestoppers-uk.org.

The police urge the public to come forward with any information, no matter how small, to assist in the investigation.