BBC boss Tim Davie RESIGNS amid ‘systemic bias’ allegations

BBC director-general Tim Davie has resigned after a BBC Panorama documentary misled viewers, the broadcaster has announced.

Deborah Turness, the CEO of News at the national broadcaster, has also resigned.

The BBC Panorama documentary was found to have misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump.

Mr Davie, who was director-general for five years, oversaw a number of BBC controversies in recent weeks, including its coverage of Gaza and Glastonbury.

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In a statement, Mr Davie said: “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.

Tim Davie announced his resignation on Sunday ahead of the BBC issuing an apology over a Panorama programme on Donald Trump

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“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.

Tim Davie said he would take ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the BBC’s failings

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“Overall, the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.”

A leaked internal BBC memo, seen by the Telegraph, suggested the Panorama programme Trump: A Second Chance?, had been edited so as to make two parts of President Donald Trump’s speech appear together.

The result of the edit made it appear that Mr Trump explicitly encouraged the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.

It is understood Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the broadcaster’s editorial standards committee, leaked the memo.

Mr Prescott left the BBC role in June.

A timeline of BBC scandals overseen by Tim Davie

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Ms Turness also released a statement on her decision, saying: “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.”

In the wake of the resignations, BBC Chair Samir Shah extended his gratitude to both Mr Davie and Ms Turness for their “unwavering service and commitment to the BBC”.

“This is a sad day for the BBC,” Mr Shah said, adding he understands 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.”

Deborah Turness, CEO of News at the BBC, has also resigned

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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who said earlier today that the BBC was facing “very serious allegations” including “systemic bias”, thanked Mr Davie for his years of service.

She wrote on X: “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.”

On Monday, the BBC will issue a formal apology over its handling of the Panorama programme.