BBC News journalists had begun work on an investigation into Huw Edwards before the Sun newspaper published allegations he had paid a teenager for sexual messages.
Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire was examining claims about his conduct in the days before the newspaper printed its report into the News at Ten veteran.
The BBC2 show reported that Edwards allegedly sent “inappropriate” and “suggestive” messages to junior BBC employees, including making comments about their appearance.
The revelation has also sparked questions over whether allegations about Edwards were circulating in the newsroom and if senior managers were informed. Broadcast news website Deadline revealed that Derbyshire’s enquiries “raised eyebrows among some BBC staff”.
Derbyshire was credited with the reporting. Lucy Manning, a BBC News special correspondent, and Luke Jones,