Overview
- An internal memo by editorial complaints chief Peter Johnston—prompted by concerns raised by adviser Michael Prescott and later leaked—says BBC News misreported Trump’s comments about Liz Cheney and records an Editorial Guidelines committee finding of errors.
- The broadcasts days before the November 2024 election included presenters saying Trump suggested a firing squad or people should shoot Cheney in the face, while his quoted line was a rhetorical comparison about “nine barrels” pointed at her face.
- Despite acknowledging the inaccuracy internally, the BBC has not issued a public correction to viewers about the Cheney coverage.
- The disclosure follows a separate Panorama controversy in which a mis-edited segment of Trump’s Jan. 6 remarks led to an apology, the episode being pulled, and the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness.
- Trump says he intends to sue the BBC for $1 billion to $5 billion over misrepresentation, as the corporation rejects compensation demands and legal questions persist about jurisdiction and proof of harm.