BBC Director General and Head of News Resign Over Trump Documentary Scandal

The BBC director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have both resigned following fierce criticism over a Panorama documentary that misled viewers by editing a speech by US president Donald Trump. The broadcaster has never had its two top leaders step down on the same day before. The resignations come after weeks of mounting pressure over accusations of political bias, following the leak of an internal memo that alleged “serious and systemic” editorial failings.

At the heart of the storm is a Panorama episode that spliced together two separate moments from Trump’s January 6th, 2021, rally in Washington that were almost an hour apart to make it appear like he was directly urging his supporters to “fight like hell” and march with him to the Capitol. The leaked memo, written by former BBC adviser Michael Prescott, accused the programme of misleading editing and raised wider concerns about bias in coverage of Israel and Gaza, as well as trans issues.

Davie, who led the BBC for five years, said he was stepping down after reflecting on the “intense personal and professional demands” of managing the role. He added, “While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.” He acknowledged “there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility.” 

Turness, who has run BBC News and Current Affairs since 2022, said the controversy had “reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.” She said, “As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me... While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.”

The leaked memo not only criticized the Trump edit but also claimed BBC Arabic had featured guests who had expressed antisemitic views, including one who wrote online that Jews should be burned “as Hitler did.” The BBC later confirmed such individuals would no longer appear on air and that the individual should not have been featured in that way.

BBC chairman Samir Shah called it a “sad day for the BBC,” praising Davie’s leadership but acknowledging the “continued pressure on him, personally and professionally.” Shah is expected to issue a formal statement to Parliament on Monday, alongside a wider BBC statement on the Panorama episode.

The backlash has been swift and global. The White House labeled the BBC “100% fake news.” Trump himself celebrated the resignations, posting on Truth Social that senior figures were quitting “because they were caught ‘doctoring’ my very good (PERFECT!) speech of January 6th.” He called the broadcaster’s leaders “very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election.”

The political reaction to the resignations has been sharply divided. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy thanked Davie for his service, saying the BBC remains “one of our most important national institutions” and stressing the need for “trusted news” in turbulent times.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the pair were right to go, adding that there is a “catalogue of serious failures that runs far deeper” at the BBC. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage called for “wholesale change” at the broadcaster, while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the resignations should be “an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf.”

The resignations come at a sensitive time for the BBC, which is preparing for talks with the government over its next Royal Charter, the deal that determines how the corporation is funded and regulated. Their current Royal Charter is due to expire at the end of 2027.

Inside the corporation, there’s a mix of frustration and disbelief. One BBC News staffer described Turness’s exit as “a coup,” suggesting it was “the result of a campaign by political enemies of the BBC.”

Davie’s departure follows a turbulent spell for the broadcaster, marked by controversies over impartiality, the handling of Gaza coverage, and even the airing of a Glastonbury set that breached editorial standards.

The search is now on for replacements for two of the most powerful jobs in British media — and whoever takes over will face the daunting task of restoring trust in one of the world’s most scrutinized news organizations.