BBC row: Huw Edwards lashes out at Labour MP over Welsh heritage - 'Sorry it offends you!'
BBC presenter Huw Edwards has lashed out at a Labour MP after the broadcaster was criticised for issuing an appeal for the protection of Welsh culture.
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Huw Edwards, who was born is Glamorgan and speaks the Welsh language, took to social media to highlight the growing number of places in Wales being changed to English. The 58-year-old shared a BBC article with the headline “Wales 'losing its heritage' with name changes” on his Twitter feed and voiced his opposition to the move.
He wrote: “It’s been going on for years - with some really gruesome and offensive examples - and virtually nothing’s been done about it - 'Wales 'losing its heritage' with name changes'.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant then hit out at the BBC News anchor for sharing his personal opinion on the matter.
The MP for Rhondda said: “I’m really not sure why the BBC thinks it’s ok for its senior journalists regularly to opine like this.”
Undeterred by the Welsh MP’s comments, Mr Edwards insisted he was standing up for his Welsh culture.
He wrote: “It’s been going on for years - with some really gruesome and offensive examples - and virtually nothing’s been done about it - 'Wales 'losing its heritage' with name changes'.”
Labour MP Chris Bryant then hit out at the BBC News anchor for sharing his personal opinion on the matter.
The MP for Rhondda said: “I’m really not sure why the BBC thinks it’s ok for its senior journalists regularly to opine like this.”
Undeterred by the Welsh MP’s comments, Mr Edwards insisted he was standing up for his Welsh culture.
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The petition states "little by little, the country is losing its heritage" and "this must be stopped for the sake of future generations".
The Welsh Language Commissioner has produced a list of around 3,000 place names that have been changed over the years.
They include the south wales parish community Llanell which has been reverted back to Llanelli.
Homeowners are also being urged by members to stop the name of houses being changed to English.
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The petition lodged on the Welsh Parliament website adds “there is a pattern throughout Wales where new owners are changing their house names into English."
Former First Minister Carwyn Jones cited an example of a famous 19th century mining pub near the Brecon Beacons being stripped out its Welsh name.
He wrote on Twitter “The Tregyb Arms was opened in Brynaman in 1865, and there, in 1891, the first branch of the Miners' Union was established.
"The building has changed a lot over the years but in recent days, an English name has replaced the Welsh one. The owners have to rethink."
This is not the first time a high-profile BBC presenter has been criticised for speaking out.
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In May, Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis faced a huge backlash following her opening monologue about Dominic Cummings’ trip to from London to County Durham at the height of the lockdown.
Emily Maitlis told viewers Boris Johnson’s chief adviser had "broken the rules" and "the country can see that, and it's shocked the Government cannot".
She added: "The longer ministers and the Prime Minister tell us he worked within, the more angry the response to this scandal is likely to be."
The BBC later ruled that the presenter's comments about Mr Cummings had breached impartiality rules and Ms Maitlis apologised for her remarks.
