BBC Chief Tim Davie has resigned following controversy over an edited Trump documentary that sparked accusations of bias within the broadcaster.
Director-General Tim Davie resigned on Sunday amid a growing controversy over the editing of a Panorama documentary about former U.S. President Donald Trump. Davie, alongside BBC’s head of news Deborah Turness, stepped down after the programme was accused of misleading viewers by editing Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech to appear more inflammatory.
“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision… I have to take ultimate responsibility,” Davie said in a statement on the BBC website.
The controversy follows a Daily Telegraph report that revealed concerns raised months earlier in a memo on impartiality. UK Culture, Media and Sport Minister Lisa Nandy called the allegations “incredibly serious,” adding that they pointed to “systemic bias” at the BBC.
The disputed documentary, Trump: A Second Chance?, aired last year ahead of the U.S. election. Critics said the edit falsely implied Trump told supporters to “fight like hell,” omitting his call to “cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.”
The BBC has pledged to deliver “a full response” to Parliament on Monday regarding the incident and ongoing concerns about editorial standards.