BBC director general Tim Davie and News boss Deborah Turness resign over edited Trump documentary

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BBC director general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness have resigned from the corporation.

It comes following concerns about impartiality, including how a speech by US President Donald Trump was edited in an episode of Panorama.

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The concerns were over clips spliced together from sections of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021 to make it appear he told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell” in the documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which was broadcast by the BBC the week before last year’s US election.

Announcing his resignation Davie said: “In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. 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.”

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He said his departure will not be immediate and that he is “working through” timings to ensure for an “orderly transition” over the coming months.

Mr Davie, who had a career in marketing and finance before joining the BBC’s marketing team in 2005, was previously acting director-general from November 2012 until April 2013.

In her letter of resignation, Turness said the “ongoing controversy” around the edition of Panorama “has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love”.

She added: “As 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 last night.

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“In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.”

BBC Chair, Samir Shah said it was “a sad day for the BBC” and praised Davie for being an “outstanding Director-General for the last five years”.

Shah added: “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.

“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.”

He also said Turness 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”.

During his time in charge of the BBC, Davie dealt with a number of high-profile controversies including a row over former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker’s sharing of his political views, Huw Edwards being convicted of making indecent images of children, and the BBC’s broadcasting of Bob Vylan‘s controversial Glastonbury performance.

BBC director general Tim Davie and News boss Deborah Turness resign over edited Trump documentary
Bob Vylan at the BandLab NME Awards 2022. Credit: Zoe McConnell for NME

At this year’s event, the punk duo delivered a controversial performance on the West Holts Stage, using their platform to voice their support for the people of Palestine, call out the Israeli military and criticise the BBC, as well as the UK and US governments.

In the most provocative moment of the set, Bobby Vylan told the huge crowd, “have you heard this one?”, before leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF”. It led to a criminal investigation from Avon and Somerset Police, as well as the cancellation of multiple international shows and the revocation of their US visas.

Having recently given his first in-depth interview on the subject on The Louis Theroux Podcast, in which he said he was “not regretful” of his remarks, frontman Vylan hit back at British Airways after it pulled its Louis Theroux podcast sponsorship.

Reacting to Davie’s resignation, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy thanked Mr Davie for leading the BBC through a period of “significant change”.

She called the organisation “one of our most important national institutions”, adding that “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”.

Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, also posted a two-word reaction on X, using the drinking term “shot” to describe reports that the US president was “going to war with fake news” referring to the BBC programme, and describing Mr Davie’s resignation as a “chaser”.

The US president has also since responded on his Truth Social account.

He wrote: “The TOP people in the BBC, including TIM DAVIE, the BOSS, are all quitting/FIRED, because they were caught “doctoring” my very good (PERFECT!) speech of January 6th. 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!”

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