BBC bosses are bracing for a backlash over Huw Edwards being paid a six-figure salary despite being off the air for eight months.
Edwards, 62, is expected to be named the station's highest-paid newsleader in its annual report in July.
Last year she won £439,000, more than £100,000 more than her colleagues Clive Miley and Reeta Chakrabarti.
He has not appeared on TV since July after being suspended for paying £35,000 to a young man who sent him explicit images.
Executives are said to be bracing for criticism, but some say the internal investigation is unlikely to be concluded anytime soon.
A source said, “If Hugh is making this much money and not working, it's terrible for the people who pay the license fees.''
They added: “The BBC derives so much value from others who are giving endless hours of their time.”
Another presenter allegedly described the continued payments as “immoral”.
Mr Edwards' salary will be calculated this week as BBC chiefs publish the salaries of staff paid more than £178,000 in the 12 months to March each year.
The company apologized in February after an independent investigation concluded that concerns raised by the young man's parents were not dealt with quickly enough.
The boy's mother said at the time: “We're relieved that this independent reporting confirms what we've been saying all along: the BBC just didn't take this seriously.”
“If anything, this highlights how important it is that we get answers for everyone.”
The BBC declined to comment on its “internal employment process”.
