Former news anchor Huw Edwards has been absent from screens since July 2023 and quit the BBC earlier this year.

Jeremy Clarkson has waded in on the conversation surrounding former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards and his £40k salary increase, despite not being on television screens since last summer.

Huw resigned from the BBC after 40 years in April and his final ever broadcast took place on July 5 2023 during a report in Edinburgh.

He recently plead guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

The 62-year old was one of the BBC’s highest-paid presenters and was recently revealed to have earned between £475,000 and £479,999 in the 2023-24 financial year.

BBC’s Director General Tim Davie has now been slammed by Jeremy Clarkson, who called for Edwards to pay back the hefty sum. He wrote in his column in The Sun that it can be paid back with “a fine.”

Jeremt penned: “There seems to be some discussion about how we can get our hands on the £200,000 of our money that was paid to Huw Edwards by the BBC after his arrest last year.

“According to Tim Davie, the Director-General of the Beeb, it’s fraught with difficulties. But is it? Why not have a quiet word with the judge who sentences Edwards and suggests that, in addition to whatever punishment he has in mind, a fine might be in order?

“A fine of ooh, let’s think – £200,000?”

The BBC confirmed that Edwards was not paid off as part of his departure. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also urged for Edwards to return his salary after pleading guilty.

She said: “I think he ought to return his salary.

“I think having been arrested on such serious charges all the way back in November, to continue to receive that salary all the way through until he resigned is wrong and it’s not a good use of taxpayers’ money.

“I think most people in the country will agree with that but whether he does that or not is up to him.”
Since his resignation from the BBC in April and his final broadcast in July, former news anchor Huw Edwards has been keeping a low profile. However, recent developments have reignited public interest in his case.

Despite being off television screens since last summer, Jeremy Clarkson recently stirred the pot by criticizing Edwards’ £40k salary increase. The situation took a darker turn when Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

This revelation shocked many, especially considering his long-standing career at the BBC. Reports have shown that Edwards was among the highest-paid presenters at the BBC, earning between £475,000 and £479,999 in the 2023-24 financial year.

BBC’s Director-General Tim Davie has faced backlash from Clarkson and others for not taking action to recover the money paid to Edwards, especially after his arrest.

Clarkson suggested that a fine of £200,000 could be a suitable way for Edwards to repay the amount. This proposal has sparked debates on how best to handle the situation and ensure accountability.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has also weighed in on the issue, echoing the sentiment that Edwards should return his salary in light of the serious charges he faced.

Nandy emphasized the need for responsible use of taxpayers’ money and highlighted the public’s expectations for integrity and accountability from public figures.

As the discussions continue, it remains to be seen if Edwards will heed the calls to repay his salary. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, especially in high-profile positions. Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding story.