Two people have claimed they received "inappropriate" messages from disgraced BBC News at 10 presenter Huw Edwards, one of whom said it had been "an abuse of power".
Edwards, who has anchored the UK news for decades and was last seen on television presenting coverage of King Charles III's Scottish coronation last week, was named on Thursday morning (UK time) as the BBC presenter who allegedly paid a young person thousands of pounds for sexually explicit photos.
His wife, Vicky Flind, revealed it was Edwards with a public statement she said she was making out of concern for her husband's mental health and to protect their children. A report by The Sun newspaper dominated the news agenda and sparked days of speculation over which high-profile BBC star was at the centre of the claims.
London's Metropolitan Police said earlier it had concluded its assessment into the allegations and found there was no indication a criminal offence had been committed.
"There is no further police action," it said.
However, on the BBC's late night show Newsnight on Thursday evening (local time), host Victoria Derbyshire said new claims had been lobbied at Edwards after she spoke to a person who previously worked at the organisation.
"This person told me they had never met the newsreader, this person said that they had received late-night messages on social media, including kisses from Huw Edwards, which they said they believed was an abuse of power," the BBC reported her as saying.
Derbyshire went on that a colleague had also spoken to an existing staffer, "who told us that the presenter had sent them a message on social media commenting on their physical appearance, which gave them a 'cold shudder'."
The BBC's director-general Tim Davie said in a statement sent to staff earlier on Thursday it was a "difficult time for many after a challenging few days".
"I wanted to write following this evening's statements from the family of Huw Edwards and the police.
"Many of you will have read the words of Vicky Flind, Huw's wife. It is a reminder that the last few days have seen personal lives played out in public. At the heart of this are people and their families.
"This will no doubt be a difficult time for many after a challenging few days. I want to reassure you that our immediate concern is our duty of care to all involved.
"Also this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police confirmed they would be taking no further action following an assessment of information provided to them.
"As you know, we were asked to pause our fact finding investigations until that assessment had been concluded. It is important we now continue with this work. I want to be clear that in doing so we will follow due process. This remains a very complex set of circumstances."
Edwards has not made any statement directly, with his wife indicating the presenter was currently hospitalised after a severe mental health issue.
Colleagues within the BBC have spoken out about the case, with BBC journalist and long-time war correspondent John Simpson saying on Twitter: "I feel so sorry for everyone involved in this: for the Edwards family, for the complainants, and for Huw himself. No criminal offences were committed, so it's a purely personal tragedy for everyone involved. Let's hope the press leave them all alone now."
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
