The director of the BBC, Tim Davie, has resigned after a “rightwing media storm”, it has been claimed.
Fans of the Beeb have accused rightwing newspapers of “pushing an anti-BBC campaign” following the leak of a 19-page memo on impartiality by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, which raised concerns in the corporation.
Meanwhile, Ed Davey has called on the BBC “not to give in to those like Nigel Farage” amid the uncertainty.
He said: “The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be a chance for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and not give in to those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it. We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage’s Britain.”
Why did Tim Davie resign
The controversy centres on clips that were spliced together from parts of Trump’s January 6, 2021, address, giving the impression that he told supporters he would march with them to the US Capitol to “fight like hell.” The sequence appeared in the BBC documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which aired the week before last year’s US election.
Reports also showed “anti-Israel bias” at the broadcaster and claims gender-critical issues had been downplayed.
Addressing his resignation on Sunday night, Davie thanked colleagues for “unswerving” support and insisted that the BBC “speaks to the very best of us”.
The Beeb is expected to issue an apology on Monday amid concerns about its impartiality, following criticism over how a speech by US President Donald Trump was edited in an episode of Panorama.
Deborah Turness has also resigned as CEO of BBC News.
GB News presenter Tom Hardwood posted on X: “Personally, I think it’s insane that we expect the director general of the BBC to be across the particulars of every edit of every single programme. The panorama programme was a disgrace. But what does the resignation of the DG [director general] do to help the matter?”
Before Davie’s resignation announcement, presenter Nick Robinson said on the Today programme there were “genuine” worries about the editorial standards and mistakes; however, he said he believed there was a “political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation”.
The veteran broadcaster John Simpson said Robinson was “exactly right”. However, others say the revelation was “damning and risks the future of the corporation”.
According to The Telegraph, which broke the story, a memo written last summer by a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee raised this issue, along with broader concerns about impartiality within the organisation on issues including the Middle East.
While serious concerns were raised, social media has pointed to the “rightwing elites who own the mainstream media”.
One wrote: “It’s time for the BBC to wake-up and realise it’s in a fight for its life against the right wing elites who own the mainstream media.”
Another said: “Two top execs stepping down over an edit decision says a lot about the tension between journalism, politics, and public trust. It’s rare to see accountability at that level, but it also raises a big question: where’s the line between editorial judgment and political pressure?”
Journalist Ava-Santina added: “BBC should have held fast on editorial decision re Panorama. Journalists always splice together most important lines of a political speech. Moral panic over general practice. Ridiculous.”
Read Tim Davie’s resignation comments in full:
“I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. 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.
“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.
“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.”
Lisa Nandy responds
After Davie’s announcement, Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, said: “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.”