Overview
- Director‑general Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness resigned, with Davie saying errors were made and he must take responsibility.
- At issue is a Panorama documentary that spliced two separate lines from Donald Trump’s January 6, 2021 speech, making it appear he would march to the Capitol and urged supporters to “fight like devils.”
- The row followed a Daily Telegraph publication of a 19‑page memo by a former BBC standards adviser alleging editorial failings, and comes after an October Ofcom sanction over an unrelated Gaza program.
- Trump celebrated the departures, labeled BBC journalists corrupt, and sent a legal letter threatening a $1 billion suit unless there is a retraction; the BBC says it will review the letter and respond.
- Samir Shah is due before the Culture and Media Committee, has called the edit an error of judgment, and pledged stronger editorial controls as the government reiterates support for a strong, independent BBC.