BBC knew Huw Edwards had been arrested in November

After Edwards pleaded guilty, the corporation said: “The BBC is shocked to hear the details which have emerged in court today. There can be no place for such abhorrent behaviour and our thoughts are with all those affected.”

It said it had been “made aware in confidence” in November 2023 that Edwards “had been arrested on suspicion of serious offences and released on bail whilst the police continued their investigation”.

“At the time, no charges had been brought against Mr Edwards and the BBC had also been made aware of significant risk to his health,” the statement continued.

The corporation noted: “If at any point during the period Mr Edwards was employed by the BBC he had been charged, the BBC had determined it would act immediately to dismiss him. In the end, at the point of charge he was no longer an employee of the BBC.”

It reiterated that the BBC had “kept its corporate management of these issues separate from its independent editorial functions” during this period.

“We want to reiterate our shock at Mr Edwards’ actions and our thoughts remain with all those affected,” the statement said.

Edwards was suspended by the BBC last July following reports in the Sun newspaper claiming he had paid a young person for sexually explicit images.

The Metropolitan Police said they found no evidence of criminal behaviour in relation to those allegations, and that the current case was separate.

Last week, the BBC’s annual report revealed Edwards received between £475,000-£479,999 between April 2023 and April 2024, an increase of £40,000 on the previous year.

A BBC source said the corporation “did not believe there was any legal recourse to recoup any previous pay or future pension money” from Edwards.