(CNN) — One of Britain’s top newscasters, Huw Edwards, was identified by his wife on Wednesday as a BBC presenter who was suspended following allegations that he paid for sexually explicit images.

Edwards, a longtime BBC presenter, is one of the network’s highest-grossing stars, helming coverage of some of Britain’s biggest news stories in recent years, including the death of Queen Elizabeth II last September, the royal wedding, elections and general elections. 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Edwards’ wife, Vicky Flind, said he was hospitalized with “serious mental health issues” and issued a statement on her behalf after days of speculation “mainly out of concern for his mental health and to protect others.” our children,” according to a statement published by BBC News.

The statement came shortly after London’s Metropolitan Police said there was no indication a crime had been committed.

“Huw suffers from serious mental health issues. As is well documented, he has been treated for major depression in recent years,” said Flind. “

The statement did not elaborate on the allegations made against Edwards over the past week. Flind said he hoped the statement would end recent media speculation about another BBC presenter.

“Given Huw’s circumstances and condition, I would like to ask that the privacy of my family and everyone involved in this disturbing event is respected,” the statement said.

He also said that Edwards “was first notified that charges had been filed against him last Thursday” and that he intended to respond “once he is fit enough to do so.”

The accusations against Huw Edwards

The case, which has dominated the UK news agenda this week, comes when The Sun newspaper reported last Friday that a mother had accused an anonymous presenter of paying for sexually explicit photos of her 17-year-old son when contact was first made. ; he is now 20 years old.

The BBC suspended “a male staff member” after the report and said in a statement on Sunday it had first become aware of the complaint in May.

Amid much speculation about the identity of the presenters, a young female lawyer at the center of the controversy disputed the claims reported in The Sun newspaper, saying in a letter to the BBC that they were “rubbish”.

After evaluating the case, police said they had “determined that there is no information indicating that a criminal act had been committed.”

There have been new accusations against the presenter this week, according to BBC News, which reported that a second unidentified person made the claims.

Police said they were aware of “media reports” of additional allegations, but “no specific details or information regarding these allegations have been presented to us and therefore no police action is currently underway,” he said. Wednesday.

The BBC said it had seen the police statement and would “proceed” with its own investigation.