Overview
- BBC chair Samir Shah apologized for delays in addressing the Panorama error, rejected calls to quit, and proposed adding a deputy director-general role.
- Michael Prescott told MPs the BBC is not institutionally biased but has “incipient” systemic issues, denied leaking his memo, and said the edit probably did not damage President Trump’s reputation.
- The BBC formally opened applications for a new director-general, posting the job with a December 31 deadline.
- Evidence highlighted board tensions over the scope of the apology, with Caroline Thomson saying the edit misled viewers as Robbie Gibb defended his impartiality and Shah backed him.
- The BBC reiterated it rejects the basis for Trump’s threatened $1–$5 billion defamation suit, pledged to contest any filing, and noted ongoing regulatory and parliamentary scrutiny.