Huw Edwards has been identified by his wife as the BBC presenter at the centre of an alleged sex scandal.

Vicky Flind released a statement revealing that her husband was currently being treated in hospital for “serious mental health issues”. 

She said he would answer the allegations against him “once well enough to do so”.

Ms Flind also pointed out that Edwards’s bosses at the BBC only told him a complaint had been made six days ago – seven weeks after it had first been brought to the attention of the corporation.

Her statement came just 12 minutes after the Metropolitan Police announced that there was “no information to indicate that a criminal offence has been committed”.

The BBC will now come under pressure to justify its continued suspension of Edwards, a father-of-five, who was taken off the screen on Sunday.

Sources made clear the 61-year-old was not quitting as the BBC’s highest paid newsreader on a £435,000 salary after Sophie Raworth wrongly announced on the BBC News at Six that he had resigned.

Raworth also announced at the start of the bulletin that Edwards faced fresh allegations about his behaviour towards colleagues.

It was later reported that three BBC employees – two of them current staff – had come forward with claims, including an allegation that Edwards had sent one of them inappropriate and suggestive messages.

Only last September, Edwards was selected to announce on air to the nation the death of Queen Elizabeth II. 

He led the BBC’s coverage of the late monarch’s funeral and took a prominent role in presenting the King’s Coronation.