BBC implements ‘anti-grooming’ guidelines in wake of Huw Edwards and Strictly scandals

New anti-grooming guidelines are being brought in by the BBC following the Huw Edwards scandal.

Stars are being advised on how not to abuse their links with the corporation or their “celebrity status.”

The Sunday Times reports a guide has been given to staff on how they should report “potential grooming” along with “rumours or evidence of a potential relationship involving an imbalance of power.”

The new guidelines advise that “being associated with or working for the BBC may give you a public platform, followers on social media, a fanbase, or influence in public life.”

It comes after Huw Edwards resigned from the corporation in April following allegations that he paid a young person for sexually explicit pictures. Edwards was absent from screens from when the story first broke in July 2023 until his exit in April 2024.

Further claims of sexual misconduct have also been made against Tim Westwood, the former Radio 1 DJ, which led to an independent review into its handling of complaints.

The BBC has also faced questions around its former presenter Russell Brand after he faced a number of allegations, including rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse following a joint investigation between The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

Strictly Come Dancing has also been thrown into turmoil as multiple abuse allegations against professional dancers have surfaced in recent weeks.

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Edwards remained on the payroll while suspended, which is normal BBC policy, and was suffering from serious mental health issues and received in-patient hospital care.

The BBC confirmed at the time of his departure that he had not received a pay-off and was leaving “on the basis of medical advice from his doctors”

The new report instructs faces of the BBC were instructed not to win “personal favours” to “gain the trust of others and misuse power to instigate personal relationships” or “harass,” “sexually harass”, “bully,” “discriminate” or “intimidate” others.

It states bluntly that workers should not “groom others (inside and outside the BBC) with the intention of personal favours, relationships or harm to others.”

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC is a modern and inclusive organisation and we work hard to create a culture where everyone can thrive professionally and produce their best work.

“We take all forms of bullying, harassment and misconduct incredibly seriously, and we’ve made great strides in recent years to update and improve our policies.”