BBC presenter allegations: A timeline of the key events
Huw Edwards has been named by his wife as the BBC presenter facing allegations of having paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos.
The allegations, which were first published by The Sun newspaper at the weekend, claim that Mr Edwards paid around £35,000 over three years, from the age of 17, for the pictures.
The Metropolitan Police has since said no criminal offence has been committed by the BBC presenter.
However, the saga has piled pressure on the BBC as it deals with the fallout of the allegations.
Here, ITV News sets out a timeline of what we know so far.
Thursday, May 18: The original complainant attends a BBC building, where they sought to make a complaint about the behaviour of a presenter.
Friday, May 19: The complainant contacts the BBC Audience Services; this contact is referred to the BBC's investigation team. The investigation team concludes the information provided did not include allegations of criminality, but nonetheless merited further investigation.
Tuesday, June 6: After the complainant failed to respond to an email requesting information to verify their identity the BBC attempted to contact them by phone, but the call did not connect, according to the BBC, and the case remained open.
Thursday, July 6: The Sun newspaper contacts the BBC about the allegations with their source being the same person as the original complainant. The Director-General and other senior staff are informed. The BBC said these allegations were "different" to the matter already being investigated.
Thursday, July 6: A senior manager discusses the allegations with the presenter involved and it is agreed they will not appear on air until the matter is resolved.
Friday, July 7: The Sun publishes a story that an unnamed BBC presenter has paid a teenager thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos; the teen's mother accuses the star of fuelling her child's "crack cocaine addiction". The BBC contacts the police regarding the allegations.
Saturday, July 8: Gary Lineker and Jeremy Vine tweet they are not the unidentified staff member following social media speculation.
Saturday, July 8: The complainant sent the BBC more information regarding the complaint.
Sunday, July 9: Rylan Clarke also denies any connection to the story and the BBC confirms the accused presenter has been suspended and that the corporation is in touch with the police.
Monday, July 10: Downing Street issues a warning to social media sites following baseless accusations thrown at top BBC talent; Met Police confirm they are still establishing whether a criminal offence was committed.
Monday, July 10: The young person at the centre of the allegations tells BBC News via a lawyer that the allegations are "rubbish" and there is "no truth at all" in the Sun's report.
Monday, July 10: The parents of the young person speak to The Sun and say they "stand by" their claims.
Monday, July 10: After further meetings with the police the BBC pause their investigation at their request.
Tuesday, July 11: BBC director-general Tim Davie announces he is set to speak to media in the wake of the reports.
Tuesday, July 11: New claims are made against the same presenter by a second person. It is alleged the individual received threatening messages from the presenter.
Tuesday, July 11: ITV News understands that South Wales Police has met with representatives of the BBC and Metropolitan Police to share information relating to the "welfare of an adult".
Tuesday, July 11: The Sun reports allegations from a 23-year-old person that the same presenter broke Covid lockdown rules to meet them in February 2021.
Wednesday, July 12: The Metropolitan Police say that no criminal offence has been committed by the presenter.
Wednesday, July 12: Huw Edwards is named by his wife as the BBC presenter facing allegations, in a statement issued on his behalf.
Wednesday, July 12: The Sun says it has no plans to publish further allegations about Huw Edwards and the newspaper will "co-operate with the BBC’s internal investigation process".
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