Image caption, Huw Edwards launched the blog on online platform Substack on Wednesday
Child sexual abuse campaigners have criticised disgraced ex-BBC News presenter Huw Edwards for his "inappropriate and disrespectful" choice to launch a blog, with one calling it a "staggering lack of awareness".
In 2024, Edwards admitted to accessing 41 images of children, including seven of the most serious type, and was given a six-month sentence, suspended for two years.
On Wednesday, he launched a Substack blog offering "commentary and analysis" on issues such as current affairs and mental health.
But Edwards has been criticised by some for "lacking remorse".
Responding to the criticism, Edwards said "those exercised by the piece might have missed the intent expressed" on the blog.
Edwards, who was also placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years, told the BBC he had expressed "sincere regret and remorse" in court in 2024, and in a public statement issued in March.
Emma Jane Taylor, a campaigner and founder of grassroots charity Project 90-10, said: "To think he can simply return to a public platform and be received as though nothing has happened shows a staggering lack of awareness."
The 53-year-old, who is a survivor of child sexual abuse, works full time in the fitness and wellbeing sector and runs the organisation on a voluntary basis because she believes there is a need for "better awareness, better safeguarding, and better training".
Reacting to Edwards' blog, she said: "I am deeply frustrated by this. Because of my personal trauma, I decided to speak out in my 40s. So many people are so afraid to have this conversation, so we don't.
"If it was the bloke next door, everyone would be up in arms about it. And I don't doubt people will be, but some will say he deserves a second chance.
"He is on the sex offenders' register – that should not entitle him to a blog. We don't want to hear from you, Huw," she said.
Image source, Laurie FletcherImage caption, Emma Jane Taylor is a survivor of child sex abuse and campaigner who thinks Edwards' blog is "disgusting"
Bridgend-born Edwards, whose career started in Wales before he became one of the public broadcaster's highest-paid newsreaders, presented BBC's News at Ten for decades.
In that time he delivered some of the biggest stories in British recent history including Queen Elizabeth II's death.
He has previously criticised a Channel 5 drama about his court case, saying in a statement that it was a "one-sided account" with "misleading and fabricated claims".
Taylor added she was particularly "angry and deeply upset for his victims" following the publication of the blog.
"They had to dig so deep to bring this man to justice. They are trying to rebuild their life.
"It will put survivors back in their box. We need to get to a point where victims can be heard, believed and seen without having the pressure of celebrated perpetrators... where survivors have a voice and paedophiles don't."
In his first Substack blog post - on which the comment function is not enabled - Edwards said he was "attempting to rebuild some kind of worthwhile life".
Taylor said that should be done "privately", and should start with "showing some remorse".
"He had his chance. If you really feel that strongly about your journey, go and invest that in helping other sex offenders stop offending. Maybe go into prisons," she said.
"Putting yourself on a pedestal is not going to help this conversation. Public trust is not something you're entitled to, you earn it. Actions have consequences."
Image source, Metropolitan PoliceImage caption, Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence after admitting to accessing 41 images of children
Fflur Emlyn, deputy chief executive at RASASC North Wales, which supports survivors of sexual violence and abuse, said the charity's "primary concern is always the impact on those affected".
She emphasised that "offences involving indecent images of children are not victimless".
"These images document the abuse of real children, and many survivors live with the long-term effects of that exploitation.
"In all of this, it is important that we do not lose sight of the impact on victims — both directly and indirectly. The reality is that sexual abuse can have devastating and long-lasting consequences.
"We recognise that recent developments in this case, including a return to public platforms, can have an impact on survivors. If anyone has been affected, support is available."
In response to the criticisms, Edwards pointed to a statement issued in March that "conveys 'deep regret and remorse' and includes 'sincere and profound apologies'".
The statement, issued in response to the Channel 5 drama, said he "took full responsibility for my reprehensible actions".
If you have been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.
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