Citing the Huw Edwards scandal as an example, BAFTA chair Sara Putt outlined new guidance over the retrospective revocation of competition awards.

BAFTA introduces new rules that will give it the power to strip awards from people if they convicted of a crime, but Huw Edwards will keep his prizes.

Following the conviction of disgraced former BBC News host Huw Edwards, the British academy can revoke competitive honors, starting with those awarded on 2025, in cases of “proven dishonesty and the very rare instance of a winner being convicted of a serious criminal offense resulting in a prison sentence.

In the fallout from the Huw Edwards scandal, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has passed a new rule allowing the awards body to retroactively strip competitive awards from future winners convicted of serious crimes following a review process.

BAFTA Chair Sara Putt addressed the matter in a letter to members. She wrote, "Earlier this year, we were shocked by the news of the former BBC newsreader Huw Edwards's arrest and subsequent conviction for child pornography offenses.

It’s 2024, and the BAFTA Awards are tougher on serious crime and “proven dishonesty” than the U.S. presidential election. And you know what? Sure. It honestly makes sense at this point.

Bafta has created a prize forfeiture process, in place from 2025 onwards, which will allow awards to be rescinded in specific circumstances. The process has been put in place in light of the scandal surrounding BBC newsreader Huw Edwards’ arrest and subsequent conviction for child pornography offences.

BAFTA is introducing new rules that will give it the power to strip awards from people if convicted of a crime — but the organization has stopped short of revoking Huw Edwards‘ prizes. The UK charity has written to members to inform them of a new “forfeiture process” that will be introduced from next year,