A Welsh Jewish cultural centre has removed Huw Edwards as patron, following pressure from Jewish sexual abuse support services.

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage made the former BBC presenter a patron of their project to restore Merthyr Tydfil synagogue in 2022, thanks to funding from the National Lottery.

Yesterday, a spokesperson told the JC: “Huw Edwards is no longer a Patron of the Merthyr Tydfil synagogue project and therefore no longer has an association with our organisation”.

This comes after Migdal Emunah, the only Jewish UK-wide sexual abuse support service helping children, women and men called for Welsh-born Edwards to be removed from his position with the project.

Migdal Emunah chief executive Erica Marks told the JC: “As a general rule, when public figures are involved in serious crime, it may also emerge that other organisations are linked with them.

"I would urge any organisation to consider their position very carefully when anyone with connections to them has been charged with a serious crime, such as in this instance, and to consider severing ties with anyone charged with such offences”.

Laurence Kahn, chair of the South Wales Jewish Rep Council, said it was “obvious” that Edwards had to be removed as patron of the Merthyr Tydfil project.

Merthyr Tydfil synagogue (Photo: Foundation for Jewish Heritage)

Last Wednesday, Edwards pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The broadcaster admitted to having 41 indecent images of children, including seven category A images – the most serious classification.

The Merthyr Tydfil synagogue project is a long-term restoration and renovation project to turn the synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, into the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre.