TO HUW EDWARDS
I AM today writing this open letter to make you understand the immense pain and suffering you have caused me, my son, my family, your own family – and all of your victims over the years.
In doing so I hope I am giving a voice to the mothers of the poor children who were abused for your twisted gratification.
Those very young children who were robbed of their innocence forever for your sick pleasure.
Who knows what eternal damage you and your paedophile friends have done to them?
My heart breaks for every one of them – and their families. Their grief is mine, too.
You will receive your punishment in court.
I won’t be able to tell that court the full details of what you did to my family.
But in writing this letter I hope to take back the power and control which you so cruelly stole from us.
I want you to see exactly what your behaviour did to us.
My son was a normal, happy l teenager before you wormed your way into his life.
He wanted to be a lawyer, to be a success.
Instead you sent him down a dark path.
He started having problems with drink and drugs.
You knew that but kept pestering him for pictures.
You sent him more money, knowing that he was likely to spend it on his addiction.
You sent him tens of thousands of pounds.
Sent text messages calling him “Princess” to control him and keep him onside.
I want you to know that while there were times when you came close – you never wholly destroyed me
And when we tried to stop this toxic relationship – to save our boy from your clutches – you tried to bribe us and set lawyers on us.
Your friends in the media tried to smear us as liars.
Our own family turned against us – even though everything we said was true.
You drove a wedge between me and my son.
Only now are we able to try to repair the damage you did.
I want you to know that while there were times when you came close – you never wholly destroyed me.
All we care about is that we stopped your predatory grooming and saved our boy
I will not let you destroy us.
You have trashed your career and reputation and will never be on television again.
You have wrecked your relationship with your own family – and betrayed the BBC colleagues you worked for.
That you have lost everything is no consolation to us.
All we care about is that we stopped your predatory grooming and saved our boy.
For now, that is enough.
