BBC panics in search for Huw Edwards replacement ahead of major event

Huw Edwards

Senior sources claimed there was a sense of “panic” last week as the early Tory rebellion over the Rwanda vote sparked speculation over the possibility of a snap general election.

Some staff claim there is a real “sense of urgency” over the situation but others deny the claims, insisting there was nothing to suggest the BBC was at panic stations.

Edwards, 62, who would have led election coverage, is expected to leave the BBC after an internal inquiry into his conduct at the broadcaster is completed.

The News at Ten presenter was suspended in July after allegations that he paid a young person to send him explicit images. The Met Police said there was no evidence to indicate a criminal offence had been committed but the BBC launched a “fact-finding” investigation.

The BBC was put on notice recently by its chairman Dr Samir Shah, who said it needed to be properly prepared for election night, and there was a need to be “match fit”. He said the plans required “urgent attention”.

Dr Shah, a former head of BBC political programmes, said the Beeb’s election coverage is like “journalism’s World Cup”, and he would make it a “personal priority”. But one source said: “I’d say the BBC is under-prepared.”

A number of respected journalists are understood to be on the BBC’s radar to take over from Edwards.

The field includes Amol Rajan, who presents on the Today programme and University Challenge, Clive Myrie, who took over some newsreading duties from Edwards, and Laura Kuenssberg, who took over from Andrew Marr with her Sunday morning show.

Other frontrunners are Nick Robinson, who has a pedigree from the Today programme, experienced radio and TV presenter Jeremy Vine, and Question Time host Fiona Bruce.