The BBC is expected to issue a public apology on Monday after an edited segment of a Donald Trump speech in a Panorama documentary triggered the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and BBC News CEO Deborah Turness.
The resignations followed allegations that the programme misleadingly suggested Trump had directly incited the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. BBC chair Samir Shah, describing the situation as a “sad day for the BBC,” is scheduled to address lawmakers on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
The broadcaster has faced repeated criticism over perceived political bias, including its coverage of the Israel–Hamas war. While Trump welcomed the departures, accusing the BBC of corruption, Turness defended the organisation in her resignation note, saying claims of institutional bias were unfounded.
The controversy comes as the UK government prepares to review the BBC’s Royal Charter, which sets out its remit and governance. The current charter expires in 2027 and will require renewal. Davie said he hoped new leadership would help secure long-term funding and shape the corporation’s future.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the allegations “incredibly serious” and said the charter review would help the BBC adapt to a changing media environment. Political reactions have been mixed: former prime minister Boris Johnson threatened to stop paying the licence fee, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the resignations. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to warn Trump against interfering, saying, “We can’t let him.”
The immediate crisis stems from concerns raised in an internal memo about clips spliced from Trump’s January 6, 2021 remarks, which made it appear he had told supporters to “fight like hell” and march with him to the Capitol. The full recording, however, showed him urging them to “cheer on” lawmakers.
The episode follows earlier apologies over serious editorial lapses in February’s Gaza documentary, “Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone,” and a subsequent regulatory sanction over misleading content. In recent months, pro-Palestinian protesters have also targeted the BBC’s London offices over its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
A replacement for Davie could take months to appoint.