Huw resigns

"Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC. After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further."

The briefest of statements from the BBC Press Office, ending a stand-off between management and employee since Huw was suspended in July. The police have said there was no crime involved, but now we'll never know what the BBC investigation found, and whether they felt there was some potential for a disciplinary following suspension. 

Clearly Huw's doctors thought, innocent though he may be, there was no percentage in a more formal hearing. Indeed, the most elegant solution, at 62, is early retirement on medical grounds, with a healthy pension.