Huw Edwards' former publicist, Barry Tomes, was blasted on LBC after he defended the disgraced BBC journalist, who was given a suspended sentence for accessing indecent images of children. After a successful four-decade career as a broadcaster, Huw was dropped from his role in 2023 and initially faced a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a minimum of 12 months. The 64-year-old was first arrested in November 2023 and charged in June 2024, but the case was only revealed publicly in late July, just days before his court appearance.
In an interview with LBC host Tom Swarbrick, the former publicist was asked: "You don't think he's a bad person?"
"No, I don't think he is," Barry responded. "I think even good people do bad things. Is he a bad person? Some people commit murder because of extreme circumstances, but that doesn't make them a murderer."
He added: "They may have committed a crime, that's my opinion." But Barry was interrupted by Tom, who interjected: "Someone who commits murder isn't a murderer? Someone who looks at pedophilic images of children isn't a paedophile?
To which he backtracked: "Well, he's defined as a paedophile under the law, but the law has taken its course."
Viewers blasted Barry in the comments, as one raged: "I've never thought to look at indecent images of children when enduring chronic stress and trauma. Don't make excuses."
Another questioned: "What kind of an analogy is he trying to give here? It has no comparison at all to what Huw Edwards did."
"He knew what he was doing was wrong and abhorrent... but he still did it," added a third.
As another viewer raged: "Getting off on children in distress doesn't make you a bad person???? WTAF."
After the disgraced star was sent 41 illegal images by convicted paedophile Alex Williams over WhatsApp, he pleaded guilty, and as part of his sentence, Huw was ordered to complete 40 sessions of a sex offender treatment program and 25 rehabilitation activity sessions, in addition to being placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.
