This week, Jacki and Lyle discuss a story that has dominated the UK news agenda in the latter half of this week, alongside the terrible events that took place in Southport. Huw Edwards, former BBC news presenter and, at one time, the third-highest paid BBC television employee, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three counts of making indecent images of children. The BBC director general, Tim Davie, has since defended the decision not to sack Huw Edwards, despite knowing that the presenter had been arrested in November over what is considered to be the most serious category of indecent images of children. In an episode that contains references to this crime throughout and where listener and viewer discretion is advised, Jacki analyses the BBC's response to Edwards' charges being made public, again praising their swift response whilst also questioning why, once again, it has taken them this long to acknowledge this situation having known about it for several months. Lyle is conscious of treating the story itself with the sensitivity it requires in order to protect the victims in this case, but he does draw some parallels between this situation and the one the BBC found themselves in with the Strictly Come Dancing scandal, in that it has seemingly taken far too long for any wrongdoing to be acknowledged and ultimately dealt with. Jacki and Lyle then discuss the impact this will have had on the reputation of the BBC, with reference to a new Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's concerns over the BBC's handling of the internal investigation into Edwards' behaviour, and the continued evidence that the corporation is not learning lessons from previous cases such as those involving the likes of Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris.

TW - this episode contains references to the crimes committed by Edwards, and mentions the likes of Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris as other examples of this behaviour. Viewer and listener discretion is advised. If you or anyone you know has been affected by this story, the following charities continue to do amazing work helping people affected by child abuse and exploitation:

Barnardo's - https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/child-abuse-and-harm/child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/

Victim Support - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Artwork & music by Lyle Fulton

Get in touch via lyle@dimoso.com or info@therestispr.com

More information at www.therestispr.com

Follow us on Twitter - @TheRestIsPR

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.