Jon Sopel on BBC Presenter: ‘What is it to do with anybody?’
Jon Sopel said Huw Edwards was “very angry” and “felt let down” by the coverage of the BBC presenter scandal.
Speaking to Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain, Sopel fumed over the invasion of privacy regarding Edwards’ personal life.
Garraway asked: “Have you spoken to him since all this happened?”
“We’ve had contact, obviously not since he’s been hospitalised,” Sopel replied.
“He was very angry. He felt let down by what had happened with The Sun and furious with their coverage. Not overly impressed with the BBC’s coverage either. I’m sure anyone who knows him is wishing him well.”
Sopel continued: “I have known him for over three decades when we were young political correspondents competing against each other to get up the ladder at the BBC.
“He is incredibly funny, has an acid wit. He can be a complicated person to deal with.”
“In what way?” probed Garraway.
Sopel said: “I just think Huw, if you are entering Huw’s orbit, he is defensive of his own territory.
“I wouldn’t say we are close friends but some of the coverage of what has happened about someone’s private life which is complicated, and possibly a bit messy and some might find a bit distasteful, I don’t see what it has got to do with anyone else if there is no question of illegality, no question of sexual assault – and things might change.
“But as things stand now, there’s been no illegality and no abuse of power as far as I can see and therefore, what has it got to do with anybody?”
Sopel later added: “I hope he gets better and someway, somehow he is back.”
Edwards’ wife Ms Flind confirmed he was “receiving in-patient hospital care” after he has been struggling with his mental health.
She said in a statement: “In light of the recent reporting regarding the ‘BBC Presenter’ I am making this statement on behalf of my husband Huw Edwards, after what have been five extremely difficult days for our family.
“I am doing this primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children.
“Huw is suffering from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for severe depression in recent years.
“The events of the last few days have greatly worsened matters, he has suffered another serious episode and is now receiving in-patient hospital care where he’ll stay for the foreseeable future.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Source: Read Full Article
