The whole “bringing into disrepute” argument seems flimsy. It was the Sun who brought them into disrepute. If that story turns out to be defamatory and false, could the BBC claim Huw brought the BBC into disrepute?
If for example Huw had either a consensual relationship with another adult or he went on an app and bought legal photos, is having your privacy taken away and be made into tabloid fodder legitimate grounds for bringing your employer into disrepute?
Paging Harbottle & Lewis for advise, please.
If an allegation by a newspaper is proven completely false then no, I don’t think BBC would have a leg to stand on in sacking Huw.
But even if the buying of photos is legal and consensual, it’s probably subjective whether it’s morally acceptable behaviour when you are a married, highly paid tv presenter. You don’t have to do something criminal before you lose your job.
If a female bbc newsreader was found to be selling photos would that be seen as bringing the bbc reputation into disrepute? I actually don’t know but I think the reaction to women gaining financially from selling photos is usually worse than men gaining sexually from buying them. But either way it’s subjective.
However, whatever the outcome of the original sun story, it seems that other people have come forward about Huw’s behaviour towards them and I think even if the original story was false, it wouldn’t mitigate for any poor behaviours that turn out to be true.
And I know a few years have passed since lockdown and it came with much debate, but I think the bbc would have good grounds for dismissing Huw for breaking lockdown rules. That does ruin their reputation when their own newsreader can’t behave within the laws they are reporting on, no matter what anyone thinks of the law.
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