Huw Edwards weighs in on BBC Breakfast flag row and ordered to delete post

Huw Edwards’ tweet before it was deleted.
Huw Edwards/Twitter

Huw Edwards has revealed he was ordered to delete a tweet about a flag amid online attacks against his colleagues.

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty became the focus of a social media storm on Thursday after making fun of housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s flag.

Ms Munchetty was then forced to apologise after “liking” a tweet defending her and Mr Stayt.

On Friday, Edwards posted a picture of himself standing in front of the Welsh flag and captioned it: “Flags are now mandatory — very pleased with my new backdrop for BBC News at Ten.”

But just a few hours later, he tweeted again saying: “Gutted. My pro-flag tweet has been cut down in its prime. By order.

“But it will be back tomorrow, by popular demand. Meanwhile enjoy this magnificent flag - one of my favourites,” he added, with a picture showing a BBC flag instead.

The News at Ten presenter posted the tongue in cheek post after Secretary of State for Digital, Culture and Media Oliver Dowden accused Ms Munchetty and Mr Stayt of “sneering”.

The secretary said: “I’m concerned that what started as light-hearted banter became sneering which is not the BBC at its best.

“As I’ve said before, it is so important that the BBC reflects and respects the values of the whole of the UK.”

In a statement to MPs, who had contacted the BBC about the comments made by the presenters, Richard Frediani, Editor of the Breakfast show, said: “At the end of a long, serious interview with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Robert Jenrick, Charlie Stayt made an off-the-cuff remark about the size of the flag behind Mr Jenrick.

“It was meant as a light-hearted comment and no offence or disrespect was intended. Naga and Charlie have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities, including the BBC’s impartiality and social media guidelines.”

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