BBC’s Director General and CEO of News resign

London - BBC director general Tim Davie and CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness have resigned after controversy over a documentary edit pertaining to US President Donald Trump.

 It comes after The Telegraph newspaper published details of a leaked internal BBC memo suggesting Panorama edited two parts of Trump’s speech together so he appeared to explicitly encourage the Capitol Hill riots in January 2021.

“There have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility,” Davie said. “[…} it has been a wonderful ride, which I have loved. I count myself very lucky to have served as DG. I will have a proper chance to see many of you before I go but I have been incredibly proud to lead the BBC as DG for over five years. It is a precious UK institution, and you are a world-class team.”

CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness said, “I have taken the difficult decision that it will no longer be my role to lead you in the collective vision that we all have: to pursue the truth with no agenda. The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love. And the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me – and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the director general.”

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.”

Trump welcomes BBC bosses’ resignations

In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump said (Mr Davie and Ms turness) were “quitting/FIRED, because they were caught ‘doctoring’ my very good (PERFECT!) speech of January 6th.”

He added, “Thank you to The Telegraph for exposing these Corrupt ‘Journalists.’ These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election. On top of everything else, they are from a Foreign Country, one that many consider our Number One Ally. What a terrible thing for Democracy!”

Britain’s Culture Minister, Lisa Nandy, however, said, “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 we will 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.”

She also thanked Tim Davie for his service to public service 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,” she said.