Following the naming of BBC News presenter, Huw Edwards, as the man at the centre of tabloid allegations about payments for explicit images, media commentators say Christians should be praying for everyone suffering as a result of what's happened.
“I think we can only cry out to God for His grace and mercy, particularly the young people involved because we don't know the impact upon them”, commented Steve Cox from Christians in Media.
Speaking to Premier Christian News, he said, “For the person involved with the allegations and we now know who that is, I just pray for a sense of repentance but also healing as well.”
On Wednesday, the wife of Huw Edwards released a statement, saying her husband is in hospital with "serious mental health issues", where he'll stay "for the foreseeable future".
According to a report in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Edwards has been an active member of the Welsh community in London and "takes his family to the church every week". He is also known for playing the church organ.
The BBC is investigating what happened, though police found no evidence of criminal behaviour, following claims in the Sun newspaper that Huw Edwards paid a young person for explicit images. Obtaining or making explicit images of anyone under 18 is a criminal offence.
Some BBC staff also made claims about inappropriate messages by Edwards.
“I think one of the sadnesses to me about all of this is that people didn't initially say ‘hold on’ before charging down the road and charging after whoever the BBC presenter is”, reflected Roger Bolton, the former BBC broadcaster, who presents the 'Beeb Watch' podcast.
“What is the real nature of the evidence that the Sun says it's had?” he told Premier Christian News. “If the Sun is going to make serious allegations like this, it has to substantiate them”, he added.
Writing for the UnHerd website, Rev Giles Fraser, who regularly appears on the BBC, condemned how what he called ‘the mob’ had turned on the BBC newsreader.
“While all this poisonous dance is being played out, a man is hiding under the covers of his hospital bed, clearly unwell, surely terrified”, he wrote.
“He may well have done wrong. And, of course, people do need to be held to account for this. But, as a man of faith, the hard work will be done in silence as he confronts his maker”, he continued.
“We used to believe that God was our judge. A God who knew all the secrets of our hearts. A God who loved us nonetheless. We don’t believe in this God anymore. We believe in Rupert Murdoch. And it’s not been a happy swap”, he argued.
