let's go straight to new york, because the trial of the former president donald trump is due to get under today. thejurors, there was president donald trump is due to get under today. the jurors, there was a lengthy selection process last week. todayis lengthy selection process last week. today is the first day proper of the trial. it is a criminal trial of donald trump, the former us president denies charges that he falsified accounts to hide hirsch money paid to a pawn actress. you will see making their way to the court in new york. that trial due to get under way, and the opening statements due to be heard a little later on. fairly early. just seeing

the arrival, there he is, former president donald trump entering the us court room little earlier on today. i want to bring you some breaking news that we have coming into the building, just to bring you that news. i want to bring you a estate is that we have coming in on our wires here, that you edwards, the bbc presenter, hugh edwards is due to leave the bbc on medical advice. the presenter has been off airfor on medical advice. the presenter has been off air for months following reports he paid a young person for explicit photos. the presenter has

been off air for months. explicit photos. the presenter has been off airfor months. he resigned from the bbc on medical advice. the corporation has said. just to repeat, it has been announced in the last few minutes that hugh edwards, the bbc presenter, has resigned and left the bbc. after a0 years of service, he has explained that the decision was made on medical advice of his doctors. the bbc has accepted his decision which will allow all parties to move forward. huw edwards had not previously made any public statement since he was named as the bbc presenter accused of a string of allegations. the veteran news anchor was named in a statement released by his wife, which he said he was suffering from serious mental health

issues, and of the controversy emerged had received inpatient hospital care after suffering from a series episode. she said he would respond to the stories that have been published when he was well enough to do so. until his suspension injuly 2023, huw edwards was the lead presenter of bbc news at ten o'clock, the evening news programme of the bbc. he has anchored bbc coverage of state and international events. he has presented the bbc�*s coverage of major royal events, including the wedding of prince william and catherine middleton. the diamond and platinum jubilees of elizabeth ii, the wedding of prince harry and meghan markle. in recent years, he

was anchor for the funeral of prince philip, the death and state funeral of elizabeth ii, and the coronation of elizabeth ii, and the coronation of charles iii, and queen camilla. let's go straight to our newsroom and speak to our media editor. katie, what can you tell us? this statement released in the last few moments. , , ., moments. yes, there is little more to sa at moments. yes, there is little more to say at this _ moments. yes, there is little more to say at this moment _ moments. yes, there is little more to say at this moment apart - moments. yes, there is little more to say at this moment apart from l moments. yes, there is little more l to say at this moment apart from the fact this statement has been released, i receive it on e—mail a few minutes ago, which says huw edwards has resigned at left the bbc. it happened today, and i understand it did happen today, after a0 years of service. he said his decision was made on medical advice from his doctors. i am sure you been discussing it, but what we do know from the statement his wife

made lastjuly, that huw edwards, a huge, towering figure in the bbc, a welsh broadcaster known across the country and wiser. we know because his wife, when she named him as the presenter in the allegations made in the sun newspaper last summer, she said he was suffering from severe mental health problems. i wouldn't like to speculate on whether those are the medical reasons behind this, but of course many people will put those two things together. huw edwards is, from today, no longer employed by the bbc. he edwards is, from today, no longer employed by the bbc.— edwards is, from today, no longer employed by the bbc. he has indeed resiuned. employed by the bbc. he has indeed resigned- as — employed by the bbc. he has indeed resigned- as we _ employed by the bbc. he has indeed resigned. as we died _ employed by the bbc. he has indeed resigned. as we died this _ employed by the bbc. he has indeed resigned. as we died this news, - employed by the bbc. he has indeed resigned. as we died this news, it i resigned. as we died this news, it is worth just looking back at what a career huw edwards has had in his decade with the bbc, anchoring some of the most significant moments of the last few years.—

the last few years. well, exactly. i remember — the last few years. well, exactly. i remember covering _ the last few years. well, exactly. i remember covering this _ the last few years. well, exactly. i remember covering this story - the last few years. well, exactly. i remember covering this story last| remember covering this story last summer and just talking about the number of key momentous moments in the history of our country where huw edwards has been the person holding the viewer's hand, explaining what is happening and sharing a coronation or the death of the queen. so many royal events that huw edwards covered through his career at the bbc. then also election night, we haven't known since the scandal broke, we haven't known he was indeed going to present the election programme for the bbc, when it comes, which we know it's in the next you months. that is because huw edwards was the face of the election coverage, so whether it is election is, royal births and deaths, coronations, huw edwards has always been there, been that... what we

know today, this feels momentous. he has not been on i was greens i9 has not been on i was greens 19 months —— on our screens for nine months. you will no longer be holding our hands for those key moments. . holding our hands for those key moments-_ holding our hands for those key moments. ., .,~ , ., moments. can you take us through the timeline of the — moments. can you take us through the timeline of the last _ moments. can you take us through the timeline of the last few _ moments. can you take us through the timeline of the last few months, - timeline of the last few months, going back tojuly timeline of the last few months, going back to july 2023 when timeline of the last few months, going back tojuly 2023 when the suspension happened? take this through the timeline of events. what through the timeline of events. what ha--ened through the timeline of events. what happened was _ through the timeline of events. “await happened was originally, as through the timeline of events. wiat happened was originally, as people will probably remember, huw edwards was not the person named by the sun newspaper. the sun newspaper ran a series of stories across subsequent days back last summer, talking about an unnamed presenter who they said had exchanged sexually explicit photographs with a young adult for payment, and they made these

allegations and continued to drip them out everyday. they got their story from the parents of this young person, as we understand it, who had complained to the bbc this was happening, and they said at the time they had been ignored. the bbc has done an investigation and has beefed up done an investigation and has beefed up its processes to make sure that complaint would be escalated higher “p complaint would be escalated higher up more quickly. there was a lot of speculation around here this unknown presenter might be. with various other male bbc presenters coming out, going on to twitter denying it was them because there were allegations it was different people. that came to an end when huw edwards's wife made the statement naming her husband as the presenter involved in the allegations, and saying he had mental health problems and would be stepping back from presenting for the moment. the

police had announced they had done, they had looked at it and no criminal offence had been committed. we went into this period where we knew, although the bbc never confirmed, huw edwards had been suspended, but we didn't know what the process was and whether he would come back. nine months later we know he isn't. , , come back. nine months later we know he isn't. g , ., he isn't. indeed. just worth reiterating _ he isn't. indeed. just worth reiterating that _ he isn't. indeed. just worth reiterating that line - he isn't. indeed. just worth reiterating that line that. he isn't. indeed. just worth j reiterating that line that we he isn't. indeed. just worth - reiterating that line that we broke thatis reiterating that line that we broke that is essentially the news that huw edwards has resigned. you are explaining theirjust really doubt the importance for him in terms of the importance for him in terms of the bbc and being one of the lead presenters, add notjust the lead presenter, but for many years on the bbc. iii presenter, but for many years on the bbc. , ., 4' presenter, but for many years on the sac. _, ~ ., ,., ~ ~ bbc. if you think about the bbc, if ou think bbc. if you think about the bbc, if you think about _ bbc. if you think about the bbc, if you think about the _ bbc. if you think about the bbc, if you think about the role _ bbc. if you think about the bbc, if you think about the role the - bbc. if you think about the bbc, if you think about the role the bbc. you think about the role the bbc plays in the nation's live, there

are so many key events. all the way through those events in recent times, it had been huw edwards whose face has been there. i remember him announcing when the queen had died, that awfully sad day, a sad moment and a historic moment for our country, and he was on the screen? it was huw edwards. similarly, he just had that aura, the person, the go—to person for the nation. for somebody like that to disappear from our screens, as he did, of course it has left real questions about whether he was coming back or not. now we know he isn't. katie, we will leave you, i know you would gauge reaction to this story. i want to reiterate the news that has been released in the last few minutes. it has been announced huw edwards has resigned and left the bbc after a0

years of service. he has explained his decision wasn't made on the medical advice of his doctors. the bbc has accepted his decision that will allow all parties to move forward. huw edwards had not previously made any public statement since he was named as the bbc presenter accused of a string of allegations. clearly a lot of reaction coming in. let's speak to the former television executive stuart purpose. your reaction to the statement that has broken —— stuart purpose. i’m statement that has broken -- stuart --urose. �* ., , , , ~ purpose. i'm not surprised the bbc has come to _ purpose. i'm not surprised the bbc has come to some _ purpose. i'm not surprised the bbc has come to some conclusion. - purpose. i'm not surprised the bbc| has come to some conclusion. they are saying it is at the request of huw edwards, but there will be relieved across the bbc at this situation because it had become embarrassing for the bbc quite how long it was taken to sort it out.

the director—general tim davie appearing before a committee in parliament said there was the detail of the allegations themselves, what he called privacy issues, duty of care, which the bbc had the responsibility to huw edwards, and legitimate public interest. they had to weigh up the points, this is the outcome. huw edwards giving his resignation. i think the questions from outside will be, is there some financial settlement? he has said i will resign, or has there been a negotiation of him going? we aren't being told it and probably never will. ., �* ., ., will. you've alluded to the length of time it has _ will. you've alluded to the length of time it has taken _ will. you've alluded to the length of time it has taken since - will. you've alluded to the length of time it has taken since the - will. you've alluded to the length i of time it has taken since the news first broke in the summer of last year. what would your assessment be of how the bbc has handled this

situation? ., ., ~' of how the bbc has handled this situation? ., ., ~ ., situation? looking at the high rofile of situation? looking at the high profile of huw _ situation? looking at the high profile of huw edwards, - situation? looking at the high profile of huw edwards, at - situation? looking at the high profile of huw edwards, at all| situation? looking at the high - profile of huw edwards, at all the other knock—on issues, for instance, he will present the bbc�*s election night programme? we could assume it wouldn't be huw edwards, but bbc wouldn't be huw edwards, but bbc would clearly want to announce it and resolve the issue. that is one of the extra pressures. by and large, the most important issue is making the rightjudgment about what huw edwards did and working out the right response to it and what president it will set. there are issues arising from whether an offence has been committed, a breach contract. all those issues had to be weighed up. if the solution is huw edwards has walked, the bbc will see that as a successful outcome for what has been a damaging saga.

damaging for the bbc? you can't add the fact that one of the most trusted man in britain turns out not to be worthy of the trust. the olice to be worthy of the trust. the police saying _ to be worthy of the trust. the police saying no _ to be worthy of the trust. the police saying no case to answer. he was suspended, and there are many questions about what has happened is that has led to this point. absolutely. eyesight those points you made about duty of care, about privacy. it would always be difficult for the bbc to give detail on what happened. they hoped on a working out the process issues involved and how the incident and the family complaining and how the complaint was not well handled. that issue has been resolved. there were lots of things which needed to be resolved, which to be fair to the bbc i don't know how they could issue a definitive statement. there will still be questions from the statement, whether there has been a

financial settlement. irate statement, whether there has been a financial settlement.— financial settlement. we should say, let me reiterate _ financial settlement. we should say, let me reiterate the _ financial settlement. we should say, let me reiterate the statement - financial settlement. we should say, let me reiterate the statement that i let me reiterate the statement that was released at two o'clock. huw edwards, the bbc presenter, he has resigned and now left the bbc. the statement is that after a0 years of service, he had explained the decision was made on the medical advice of the doctors, and the bbc has accepted his decision that will allow all parties to move forward. stewart, the bbc saying it will allow all parties to move forward. does it draw a line under the situation? i does it draw a line under the situation?— does it draw a line under the situation? ~ ., , ., situation? ithink it does. i am sure there _ situation? ithink it does. i am sure there will _ situation? ithink it does. i am sure there will be _ situation? ithink it does. i am sure there will be some - situation? ithink it does. i am| sure there will be some people situation? i think it does. i am - sure there will be some people who say, has he resigned from the staff, could he be employed in a freelance capacity? there will always be those possibilities. i think the real

issue has been huw edwards has been paid up to £500,000 to do nothing. it couldn't last any longer. he paid up to £500,000 to do nothing. it couldn't last any longer.— it couldn't last any longer. he had been in his _ it couldn't last any longer. he had been in his role _ it couldn't last any longer. he had been in his role for— it couldn't last any longer. he had been in his role for many - it couldn't last any longer. he had been in his role for many years i it couldn't last any longer. he had been in his role for many years as| been in his role for many years as anchor of the news at ten, and covered some of the biggest events of the last few years. our anchors like that around any more? how unique was he? i want you to assess his career and importance to the bbc. ., , . ., his career and importance to the sac. ., , . ., , his career and importance to the sac. ., , y ., ., bbc. he had become very important to the bbc because _ bbc. he had become very important to the bbc because he _ bbc. he had become very important to the bbc because he was _ bbc. he had become very important to the bbc because he was a _ bbc. he had become very important to the bbc because he was a political- the bbc because he was a political correspondent, so we had political nous. coming from wales, he expressed the united kingdom as a whole, ratherthan expressed the united kingdom as a whole, rather than a very english point of view. he had all the experience on big events. my experience on big events. my experience having worked with

figures like him, to be honest, after they pass on in terms of their careers, you quite often find people who perhaps deserve an opportunity they weren't going to get when someone as famous as huw edwards was around. i am sure they will find someone as good as huw edwards, whether it will take time. we will wait and see. david dimbleby has moved on and huw edwards was seen as his successor. maybe there is a successor in the bbc, or maybe outside the bbc. fill" successor in the bbc, or maybe outside the bbc.— successor in the bbc, or maybe outside the bbc. our those days of the big bankers, _ outside the bbc. our those days of the big bankers, are _ outside the bbc. our those days of the big bankers, are those - outside the bbc. our those days of the big bankers, are those days - outside the bbc. our those days of the big bankers, are those days of| the big bankers, are those days of the big bankers, are those days of the past —— big anchors. i the big bankers, are those days of the past -- big anchors.— the past -- big anchors. i name check them _ the past -- big anchors. i name check them because _ the past -- big anchors. i name check them because possibly i the past -- big anchors. i name check them because possibly a | check them because possibly a recruitment issue. i can think of a couple of people. you are looking for someone who has got a lot of live experience and has broader

knowledge and vision than just the subject they may be a specialist in. and somebody who can get the tone right on these big occasions. you may know the facts of diehards, but getting the public tone right is a very difficult skill. not many people have it. i think enough people have it. i think enough people habit to succeed huw edwards. thank you so much for your time. let's go back to kt, our media editor. i know we are still digressing the news. i don't know whether you have had a look at the reaction to see how the news is going? huw edwards has resigned and left the bbc, saying the decision was made on the medical advice of his doctors. it was made on the medical advice of his doctors-— his doctors. it was, indeed. i am sure you — his doctors. it was, indeed. i am sure you will _ his doctors. it was, indeed. i am sure you will know— his doctors. it was, indeed. i am sure you will know once - his doctors. it was, indeed. i am sure you will know once a - his doctors. it was, indeed. i am sure you will know once a story i sure you will know once a story breaks of this kind, you spend a lot of time as a bbc presenter talking

to people on channels rather than checking what people are saying. i haven't yet been able to check what other people, what the reaction is, but it is a significant moment, not just for huw edwards but the bbc more widely. there's been this vast gap left by huw edwards, by his disappearance. 0ne gap left by huw edwards, by his disappearance. one minute he was on the screen is presenting the news, the screen is presenting the news, the next minute he was gone. with all sorts of allegations made about him in the sun newspaper, allegations that the police decided there was no further case to answer, or no criminal offence had been committed. we were left in this waiting period, as stuart was alluding to, these nine months well be haven't known what was going to happen. would huw edwards come back? he's been a much loved presenter, certainly he's had a tiring career for a0 years, but a much loved

presenter and high—profile one in the last decade also. we were wondering what will happen, and now we know. we have our answer, which is his taken this decision that he will resign. 0f is his taken this decision that he will resign. of course, if you think now is a moment to think about his career and his legacy and the impact he made on audiences across the world. it is also a moment to think about what next, he will become the lead presenter of news at ten? he will anchor the election programme we know is coming? channel a and time's radio both announced their election line—up over the weekend. the bbc will be able to do the same. many people say it has taken a long while to find that out.— while to find that out. stewart alludin: while to find that out. stewart alluding to — while to find that out. stewart alluding to the _ while to find that out. stewart alluding to the damage - while to find that out. stewart alluding to the damage to - while to find that out. stewart alluding to the damage to the | while to find that out. stewart - alluding to the damage to the bbc over the length of time it has taken

to be resolved. give a sense of the complications on how difficult it has been for the bbc to sort, if you like? we had the statement from his wife last year, talking about her husband suffering from serious mental health problems. exactly, and in the end the — mental health problems. exactly, and in the end the bbc— mental health problems. exactly, and in the end the bbc was _ mental health problems. exactly, and in the end the bbc was the _ mental health problems. exactly, and in the end the bbc was the employer| in the end the bbc was the employer of huw edwards and this was, they always said it was an hr issue and that every employee has a right to privacy, a right to not having their medical information broadcast more wildly, whether they are famous or not. the bbc treats them the same, we are told, so therefore it was a difficult tightrope to manage. there were lots of reports in various newspapers that the bbc had reached out to huw edwards but he wasn't able to engage. report suggesting he

wasn't well enough to engage with the bbc. if you have a suspended presenter, clearly you need to reach a decision on whether they are coming back or not. it was very much dealt with as an hr issue, as i understand it. there were suggestions huw edwards has been paid throughout it. that wouldn't be surprising when he's one of the highest—paid news person. whatever the amount of money, my understanding is the rules are that you will still be paid while the investigation is going on. i understand he's not walking away with a payout. the understand he's not walking away with a payout-— with a payout. the longer it went out, the with a payout. the longer it went out. the more — with a payout. the longer it went out, the more questions - with a payout. the longer it went out, the more questions about i out, the more questions about someone on a high salary being paid. it is an hr issue and he will be treated the same as any other member

of staff. ., . , treated the same as any other member of staff. . . , �* , treated the same as any other member ofstaff. , �*, ._ of staff. exactly. let's hope any member of— of staff. exactly. let's hope any member of staff _ of staff. exactly. let's hope any member of staff anywhere, - of staff. exactly. let's hope any member of staff anywhere, if . of staff. exactly. let's hope any i member of staff anywhere, if you of staff. exactly. let's hope any - member of staff anywhere, if you are suspended, you don't want people talking and leaking to newspapers about why you aren't there or what they are investigating. employees expect those matters to be confidential, and the bbc has treated them confidentially, as far as i can see it. we knew something would come, and there were only two options here. either huw edwards leaves the bbc or he comes back. i suppose some people were saying could he come back as not a presenter of news at ten. my understanding is this is final, he isn't coming back. it is a big moment, in terms of who presents those key, important moments in our nation's history. it those key, important moments in our nation's history-— nation's history. it won't be huw edwards. thank _

nation's history. it won't be huw edwards. thank you _ nation's history. it won't be huw edwards. thank you for - nation's history. it won't be huw edwards. thank you for the - nation's history. it won't be huw - edwards. thank you for the moment. i leave you to engage the reaction. just to reiterate the news that has broken in the last half—an—hour or so. it has been announced huw edwards, the long—time bbc presenter, has resigned and left the bbc. after a0 years of service, mr edwards explained the decision was made on the medical advice of his doctors, and in terms of response from the bbc, they have accepted his decision that will allow all parties to move forward. just to give you a little bit our backgrounds, mr edwards hadn't loosely made any public statement since he was named as the bbc presenter accuse of a string of allegations in the summer of last year. in the last few minutes it has been announced that huw edwards has resigned and left

the bbc. there will be plenty more reaction to that, no doubt, throughout the day. we are going to keep you up—to—date with our other lead story today, which is the ongoing trial of the former president donald trump. let's go over to new york and get the latest. it is 125 million, and i dothink she's complaining about me for the first time, she's complaining about the company. why would she do that when i put up the money? that is place in front of an extremely crazed judge, who has overturned four or five times on that case alone. you know who it is, i want to be nice and not mention names. a thing like what is going on here

should never be happening. it's a very sad day in america. thank you very sad day in america. thank you very much. that was former president donald trumpjust that was former president donald trump just before that was former president donald trumpjust before going that was former president donald trump just before going into the court room, just going through some of the allegations he has made before about election interference, saying this trial is unfair, a witchhunt, that has been coordinated with washington as well, and that it is all about hurting him because he is all about hurting him because he is all about hurting him because he is a strong opponent when it comes to president biden. to remind you what we are seeing is a pivotal moment in this trial, because in the next you minutes also we will see the defence and prosecution deliver their opening statements. donald trump accuse of trying to cover up a £130,000 payment to stormy daniels

before he won the 2016 election. more on this story coming up. do state with us on bbc news. many of us enjoyed sunny weather this weekend, but on the chilly side and remaining chilly for the week with most of the cloud across northern and eastern parts, the best of the sunshine across sheltered western areas. high pressure to the western areas. high pressure to the west of the uk, bringing northerly winds, feeding in thick cloud to the north sea. you can see the cooler air continuing to move southwards across the country, with the milder air kept at bay towards the south of the uk. we have a couple of weather fronts bring thicker cloud with rain

across large parts of england, eastern wales. the best of the brightness in the south—east and scotland and northern ireland doing well, top temperatures of 16 in glasgow. 0therwise well, top temperatures of 16 in glasgow. otherwise a chilly day under the cloud. through tonight, rather cloudy with the rain pushing south, clearer spells towards the north. we will see the lowest temperatures, a touch of frost in places, generally 3—6. temperatures, a touch of frost in places, generally 3—6 . staying breezy towards north sea coast. tuesday, high pressure still sticking to the west, bringing thicker cloud and spots of rain to eastern and southern part of england. elsewhere, further north and west more sunshine than today, pretty pleasant for the central belt of scotland, glasgow seeing the highs of the temperatures, around 16 or 17. highs of the temperatures, around 16 ori7. 6—9 along north sea highs of the temperatures, around 16 or 17. 6—9 along north sea coast and feeling cold, around 11 degrees

in the capital with thicker cloud and rain. wednesday promises to be dried, may be more cloud, the thickness towards northern and eastern areas weather could be the arch shower. try with the best of the brightness further west, temperatures around 13 degrees in glasgow, bocelli elsewhere for this time in april. little changed towards the end of the week, an increasing chance of showers. we could have rain or showers to the far south—west. these could change, but looking like it will stay more unsettled towards the weekend, perhaps a bit warmer in the south.