BBC Boss Resigns Over Doctored Trump Video

Tim Davie has resigned as director-general of the BBC after a Telegraph investigation into bias at the broadcaster.

Davie had been under pressure to quit after a 19-page memo revealed that a speech by Donald Trump which made him appear to encourage the Capitol Riot was doctored.

It also revealed anti-Israel bias at the broadcaster as well as claims gender-critical issues had been downplayed.

Deborah Turness, the broadcaster’s CEO of News, has also resigned.

In a message to staff on Sunday afternoon, Davie said he had decided to leave the BBC after 20 years and that it was “entirely” his decision.

“This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days,” he said. “I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.”

“I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.”

Davie defended the BBC saying it was unique and represented the “best of us” but needed to be accountable.

”In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us,” he said. “It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.

“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.

”Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it.”

Over the past week The Telegraph has disclosed the broadcaster’s one-sided reporting over Gaza, censorship of the trans debate and doctoring of a speech by Donald Trump.

On Monday, the BBC is expected to apologise for the misleading editing of the Trump speech in a Panorama documentary, one of the incidents unveiled in the memo.

Samir Shah, the chairman, will write to the culture, media and sport committee to express regret for the way the speech, made on the day of the Jan 6 2021 Capitol riot, was spliced together.

The Telegraph has previously disclosed that both Mr Davie and Mr Shah were warned of the doctored footage in May but appear to have kept quiet.

The decision to issue an apology has raised questions about why it has taken them six months to admit viewers were misled.

On Friday night, the White House accused the BBC of “purposeful dishonesty”, claiming it was a “Leftist propaganda machine”.

In an email sent to news staff on the same evening, Ms Turness, the chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, appeared to lay the ground for the apology.

Hours before Davie’s resignation Lisa Nandy attacked the BBC’s “entirely inconsistent” reporting standards.

On Sunday, the Culture Secretary claimed the BBC’s editorial decisions were not always “well thought through” and fell short of the “highest” expectations.

She said: “My concern about what is happening at the BBC is twofold. I’ve had countless conversations with the senior leadership there, too many to name, and far more than I would like, over the last 15 months since we were elected.

“The first concern that I have is that in all of these areas, whether it’s Israel, Gaza, whether it’s the concerns that were raised this week about the way they report on trans people, or on this issue about President Trump, that what tends to happen at the BBC is that decisions about editorial standards, editorial guidelines, the sort of language that is used in reporting, is entirely inconsistent.

“It doesn’t always meet the highest standards.”

After Mr Davie’s announcement, Ms Nandy posted on X: “I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years. He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.

“The BBC is one of our most important national institutions. Every day, it tells the story of who we are - the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK.

“Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.

“As a government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come.”

BBC chairman Samir Shah said: “This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding director-general for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

“He has had the full support of me and the Board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole Board respects the decision and the reasons for it.”

He added: “Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal. Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.

“Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.

“This is an important time for the Corporation and the Board and I will continue to work with Tim in the interim while we conduct the process to appoint his successor.”

Shah praised Turness who he said had transformed the operation of BBC News with “real commitment and a clear vision of the future” and said she had “acted with integrity in challenging circumstances and leaves a strong legacy from which to build for the many millions around the world who rely on and trust the voice of BBC News every day.”

Davie said she was “a valued colleague and a passionate advocate for her team of more than 5,000 people who work round the clock” and that she had offered her resignation on Saturday night.

“Deborah offered her resignation to me last night, and I want to thank her for all that she has done and to wish her the very best for her future.”