MPs and BBC staff have called for Boris Johnson appointee Sir Robbie Gibb to leave the corporation’s board.
SNP leader John Swinney told LBC: “Robbie Gibb is a very clearly affiliated party political figure on the board of the BBC.
“If the BBC wants to be viewed as an impartial organisation that's authoritative, that reflects the independence of commentary, then I think Robbie Gibb's position is untenable.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey joined calls for Sir Robbie be removed over his links with the Tory party amid impartiality concerns.
It comes as US president Donald Trump has taken the unprecedented step of threatening to sue the corporation for $1bn, issuing an ultimatum to it to pay compensation and apologise by Friday after two Panorama clips were edited together to give the impression he encouraged violence at the Capitol.
Former director-general Tim Davie admitted the BBC made “some mistakes that have cost us”, as he addressed staff after he quit over the explosive row over impartiality.
Mr Davie and the head of BBC News Deborah Turness resigned on Sunday over the episode.
Key Points
- Tim Davie admits 'mistakes cost us' in call to staff
- 'We must stand up for our journalism,' Davie tells staff
- Calls to remove BBC board member who 'led charge' of criticism
- Culture secretary to make Commons statement
- Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn
Watch: Media lawyer explains significant legal hurdles Trump faces to sue BBC
02:45 , Maira ButtLucy Leeson reports:
A media lawyer has explained the “significant legal hurdles” Donald Trump faces to sue the BBC.
The U.S president has threatened to sue the broadcasting corporation for $1 billion, following criticism over how a speech he made was edited and used in a Panorama documentary.
Media lawyer Mark Stephens appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (11 November) to discuss the hurdles the U.S president could face.
He explained: “The UK defamation claim is now out of time. He had one year from Monday October 28, 2024, when Panorama aired so he is 14 days out of time or so in the UK.”
Questions over BBC's response to leaked memo
02:00 , Maira ButtMany have questioned the BBC’s response to the leaked memo, saying the corporation failed to either “properly defend itself” from criticism or issue an apology.
The BBC’s culture and media editor, Katie Razzall, reported that the broadcaster had a statement “ready to go”, admitting it should have made it clear there had been splicing of the speech but that instead, the board decided to send a letter to parliament’s culture, media and sport committee.
It was also reported that Ms Turness was “ripped apart” by a board meeting last week about the Telegraph reports.
The former editor of The Sun newspaper described the resignations as a “coup” and an “inside job”.
A former Downing Street communications chief suggested the broadcaster had not properly defended itself, saying: “We’re living in a fast-moving digital world where there are a lot of people who want to attack the BBC, and what we’ve seen is really a vacuum that has been created.
“It’s been obvious for days now that the BBC needed to step up, explain, apologise, move on.”
We must fight for our journalism, defiant BBC boss says after Trump legal threat
01:00 , Maira ButtThe departing boss of the BBC has warned staff against the “weaponisation” of criticisms of the corporation as it faces a $1bn (£760m) legal threat from Donald Trump.
Tim Davie admitted the organisation had “made some mistakes that have cost us”, but hit out at the BBC’s “enemies” and urged colleagues “to fight for our journalism” as he addressed staff for the first time since resigning over the way a speech by the US president was edited in an episode of Panorama.
We must fight for our journalism, defiant BBC boss says after Trump legal threat
Watch: Tim Davie suggests BBC will be 'thriving'
23:59 , Athena StavrouCriticism of position of ex-Tory aide on BBC board
23:00 , Athena StavrouSir Robbie Gibb's position on the BBC board is being called into question amid bias accusations at the broadcaster.
Sir Robbie served as director of communications for Theresa May when she was in Downing Street as Conservative prime minister before his appointment to the broadcaster's board.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said his position fuelled doubt and debate about BBC independence and impartiality.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Sir Robbie should be removed from the board immediately.
SNP leader Mr Swinney told LBC: "Robbie Gibb is a very clearly affiliated party political figure on the board of the BBC.
"If the BBC wants to be viewed as an impartial organisation that's authoritative, that reflects the independence of commentary, then I think Robbie Gibb's position is untenable."
In The Guardian, Sir Ed wrote that Sir Robbie should not have a say in choosing the BBC's next director-general.
Threats to stop paying TV licence if Trump sues
22:00 , Athena StavrouBritons have said they would stop paying their TV licence fee if Trump successfully sued the BBC.
A caller on BBC 5 Live said: “If we have to pay a penny to Trump, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to pay my TV licence.”
Others said they didn’t think the BBC “has got any out in this” apart from paying compensation.
The BBC should stand up to Trump’s $1bn legal demand – it would probably win in court
21:30 , Athena StavrouThe US president’s threat to sue Auntie over its January 6 coverage may thrill his base – but legally, it’s a non-starter, says Mark Stephens.
The real risk lies in how the broadcaster responds:
The BBC should stand up to Trump’s $1bn legal demand – it would probably win in court
Why has Trump launched action in the US?
21:00 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump’s legal threat states he would plan to launch a legal suit against the BBC under Florida law.
Under UK defamation laws, a claim must be made within a year of the material being published. The Panorama programme was aired in October 2024, which means it has passed the deadline for legal action to be launched in the UK, Mr Stephens said.
However, in the US state of Florida, the time limit is two years, which means action could be launched.
Media lawyer Mark Stephens told BBC Breakfast: “A UK defamation claim is now out of time, he had one year from Monday October 28 2024 when Panorama aired so he’s 14 days or so out of time for a claim in the UK. A claim in Florida would be in time, it’s a two-year limitation there.”
Watch: Tim Davie suggests BBC will be 'thriving'
20:30 , Athena StavrouEvery time Trump has sued the media after he threatens $1 billion BBC legal action
19:30 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC after it aired an edited version of a speech he gave ahead of the 2021 Capitol Riots.
However, this is far from the first time that Trump has threatened a media company with legal action over perceived damages to his reputation.
Read about the various lawsuits here:
Every time Trump has sued the media after he threatens $1 billion BBC legal action
What difficulty could Trump face in launching a case against the BBC?
19:00 , Athena StavrouMedia lawyer Mark Stephens has outlined the “legal trip wires” for Mr Trump to secure victory in a case against the BBC.
For the case to go ahead, Mr Stephens said Mr Trump’s legal team would have to show that the programme had been aired in the US state of Florida.
The BBC has not confirmed if it was, but on its website, it states that viewers watching iPlayer, the platform on which the programme was aired, had to be in the UK to stream and download content.
It’s not yet clear if the programme was shared on the BBC’s global news feed. The Independent has contacted the BBC to ask if it was.
Mr Stephens said: “The problem for President Trump’s lawyers is that Panorama wasn’t broadcast in the USA and BBC iPlayer isn’t available in the USA, so it’s not clear if any US court would have jurisdiction to hear the claim.”
Editorial: To be saved, BBC must be reformed
18:46 , Jane DaltonThis BBC crisis is about more than one stupid error – to be saved it must be reformed
Watch: Lib Dem leader Ed Davey urges Sir Keir Starmer to defend BBC from Trump
18:30 , Athena StavrouNandy says she cannot remove Gibb from BBC board
18:26 , Jane DaltonSeveral Labour backbenchers have called on culture secretary Lisa Nandy to remove Sir Robbie Gibb, a former political adviser to Theresa May when she was prime minister, from the BBC Board.
Answering a question from Labour MP Sarah Owen (Luton North), Ms Nandy said: "The charter sets a strict legal threshold that must be met before dismissal of a board member, and so I am unable to pursue the course of action that she suggests."
Robbie Gibb to face questioning by MPs
18:15 , Jane DaltonBBC figures on the broadcaster's editorial guidelines and standards committee will face questions from MPs in a hearing likely to take place in the coming weeks.
The Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee said it had agreed to hold an evidence session with members of the BBC's editorial guidelines and standards committee - BBC chair Samir Shah and board members Sir Robbie Gibb and Caroline Thomson.
Former editorial standards advisers Michael Prescott and Caroline Daniel will also be invited to give evidence in the session focusing on the BBC committee's processes and how it ensures compliance with editorial guidelines.
Resignations won't fix everything, says Nandy
18:11 , Jane DaltonCulture secretary Lisa Nandy agreed that leadership changes at the BBC will not fix all the problems faced by the corporation.
She said: "I do strongly agree with him that two resignations are not the answer to the challenges that the BBC has faced, not just over the last week, but in recent months.
"I'm pleased that the chairman of the BBC, Dr Samir Shah, has accepted where the institution has made mistakes. I'm pleased that he's been open with the chair of the Select Committee about that and I'm pleased that he is setting out concrete actions that follow."
Ms Nandy said that these actions must be swift, robust and transparent.
The culture secretary acknowledged "serious concerns and failings" on the part of the BBC Arabic Service, but said: "The World Service is a light on the hill for people in places of darkness and there are many in this in the world at the moment, and this Government strongly supports the World Service and will continue to do so."
Nandy warns BBC to ‘renew its mission for the modern age’
18:02 , Jane DaltonThe BBC must "renew its mission for the modern age", the culture secretary has told MPs.
Ministers will begin the once-a-decade process of reviewing the broadcaster's charter soon, Ms Nandy said, adding it would ensure a BBC that is fiercely independent and genuinely accountable to the public.
Saying the process would begin imminently, she said: "Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public's trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK.
“In an era in which trust is fraying and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves."
The BBC's charter expires at the end of 2027.
Key takeaways from Tim Davie's address
18:00 , Athena Stavrou• Tim Davie began by acknowledging it had been a “tough few days” and said “we all need to be looking after each other and making sure we set everything in context”.
• He insisted the BBC will “thrive” as he said the narrative “will not just be given by our enemies”.
• Stepping away from his personal decision to leave his post, he said the BBC is “more than one person” and said “it’s all of our actions together and us working and doing our business every single day”, praising the work done across the organisation.
• He said the BBC must “be very clear and stand up for our journalism”, saying he sees “the free press under pressure”, and insisted the BBC “must fight for our journalism.
• Davie said that while mistakes “have cost us”, he is “fiercely proud” and said its work “speaks louder than any newspaper, any weaponisation”.
• Speaking about his decision to resign he said the relentlessness of the role, the upcoming Charter renewal and criticism of the Panorama documentary on Trump were all contributing factors.
Watch: Government to 'imminently begin' BBC charter review
17:59 , Jane DaltonMPs attacking BBC should rethink, says Nandy
17:42 , Jane DaltonLisa Nandy has thanked Tim Davie and Deborah Turness as she said the broadcaster had “faced criticism from all sides for its coverage of highly contentious and contested issues, and accused of giving too much airtime to particular parties, and for giving them too little".
In a Commons statement, the culture secretary said: "Those in this House attacking the BBC from left and right for not expressing views they agree with should consider just what is at stake.
“There is a fundamental difference between raising serious concerns over editorial failings and members of this House launching a sustained attack on the institution itself."
Charter review consultation to begin soon
17:38 , Jane DaltonThe Culture Secretary confirmed the government will begin the BBC charter review imminently.
"Together, we will ensure the BBC is sustainably funded, commands the public's trust and continues to drive growth, good jobs, skills and creativity across every region and nation of the UK,” Lisa Nandy said.
"In an era in which trust is frayed and truth is contested across our nation, it will ensure the BBC remains fiercely independent and is genuinely accountable to the public it serves."
Ms Nandy said a public consultation would begin shortly.
Changes planned to standards body, says Nandy
17:36 , Jane DaltonChanges to the BBC’s editorial standards committee are planned, the culture secretary has told MPs.
Lisa Nandy said in recent days she had discussed it directly with the chair of the BBC, Samir Shah, and she understood that changes were planned.
Culture secretary hits out at biased BBC critics
17:31 , Jane DaltonCulture secretary Lisa Nandy has condemned biased critics of the BBC.
She told MPs that the “BBC is not just a broadcaster – it is a national institution that belongs to us all” and that all MPs should defend it.
She said MPs from the left and the right of politics who attack the BBC for not expressing views they agree with should consider what is at stake.
While there have been problems, she said that “at a time when the facts are being dangerously blurred.. the BBC is… a light on the hill”.
Recap: Davie explains his departure
17:20 , Athena StavrouWhile speaking to staff on a call on Tuesday morning, outgoing director general Tim Davie gave three key reasons for his departure.
BBC News reported he said the relentlessness of the role, the upcoming Charter renewal and criticism of the Panorama documentary on Trump were all contributing factors.
Frustration in BBC newsroom - reports
16:59 , Athena StavrouThere has been some “disquiet” in the BBC newsroom today after Tim Davie’s meeting with staff, according to reports.
The BBC’s culture editor, Katie Razzall, has reported that while Davie tried to give staff reassurances in the meeting, some were left without having their questions answered.
She said the Q&A session was moderated by a member of the BBC’s communications team rather than a journalist.
Questions about Donald Trump and the board’s involvement were not addressed.
BBC News said that at one point the chair said it was “slightly disrespectful” to ask whether the board upholds the BBC’s values.
Questions over BBC's response to leaked memo
16:30 , Athena StavrouMany have questioned the BBC’s response to the leaked memo, saying the corporation failed to either “properly defend itself” from criticism or issue an apology.
The BBC’s culture and media editor, Katie Razzall, reported that the broadcaster had a statement “ready to go”, admitting it should have made it clear there had been splicing of the speech but that instead, the board decided to send a letter to parliament’s culture, media and sport committee.
It was also reported that Ms Turness was “ripped apart” by a board meeting last week about the Telegraph reports.
The former editor of The Sun newspaper described the resignations as a “coup” and an “inside job”.
A former Downing Street communications chief suggested the broadcaster had not properly defended itself, saying: “We’re living in a fast-moving digital world where there are a lot of people who want to attack the BBC, and what we’ve seen is really a vacuum that has been created.
“It’s been obvious for days now that the BBC needed to step up, explain, apologise, move on.”
David Hendy: The BBC has crisis in its bones – but this feels much darker
16:11 , Athena Stavrou
The BBC has crisis in its bones – but this feels much darker
Who is Robbie Gibb?
15:51 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
Sir Ed Davey has called for Sir Robbie Gibb to be ousted from the BBC board.
It follows claims that Sir Robbie “led the charge” in claims over systemic bias in the corporation, which was followed by the resignation of Mr Davie and the head of BBC News, Deborah Turness.
Sir Robbie, who was appointed to the board by Boris Johnson and confirmed by Rishi Sunak, has described himself as a “proper Thatcherite Conservative”.
Alan Rusbridger, who writes for The Independent, has detailed how Sir Robbie led the mystery consortium to buy The Jewish Chronicle on behalf of a secret backer whose identity has never been revealed. His stewardship of that paper saw it mired in a number of its own ethical and editorial failings.
He is also reported to be a friend of Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee who wrote the bombshell report which raised concerns about the way clips of Donald Trump’s speech were spliced together to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell”.
Why is President Trump threatening legal action?
15:39 , Athena StavrouMr Trump has threatened legal action against the corporation after concerns were raised over the way clips of his speech before the attack on the US Capitol in 2021 were edited for the Panorama programme.
Clips from two different sections of the speech appeared together, apparently making it seem he told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell”.
In the summer, a memo by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, raised the issues – and critics have accused the BBC of failing to respond properly.
On Monday, Mr Trump’s counsel Alejandro Brito sent a letter to the corporation, demanding that “false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements” made about the US president be retracted immediately.
The letter also demanded an apology and for Mr Trump to be compensated “for the harm caused”.
The BBC has until Friday, 5pm EST, to comply, before Mr Trump will be “left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars in damages”, the letter said.
The Independent View: Sanctimonious GB News is in no place to lecture BBC on fairness
15:12 , Athena StavrouIt was a calamitous error of judgement for ‘Panorama’ to edit Donald Trump’s notorious January 6 speech – but, in a more rational world, the corporation’s top brass would not have to pay such a heavy price. The BBC is unique in the world and still worth defending.
Read The Independent’s full editorial here:
Sanctimonious GB News is in no place to lecture BBC on fairness
What do lawyers say about the case?
14:56 , Athena StavrouSince Donald Trump threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion, lawyers have been weighing in on the potential case.
Media lawyer Mark Stephens appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday to discuss the hurdles the US president could face.
He explained: “The UK defamation claim is now out of time. He had one year from Monday October 28, 2024, when Panorama aired so he is 14 days out of time or so in the UK.”
Former BBC journalist and legal commentator Joshua Rozenberg said Trump’s lawyer is unlikely to be impressed by the BBC saying the purpose of editing the clip was to “convey the message of the speech made by President Trump so that Panorama’s audience could better understand how it had been received by President Trump’s supporters and what was happening on the ground at that time”.
Others warned that the BBC yielding to Trump could set a “dangerous precedent”.
George Peretz KC, chair of the Society of Labour Lawyers, said: “The BBC will often offend foreign leaders – some worse than Trump. Sometimes it will make factual mistakes in reporting on them. Yield to Trump now, and who next?”
Culture secretary to make Commons statement
14:45 , Athena StavrouAs a legal threat from the US president looms over the BBC, the culture secretary is set to make a statement on the matter.
Lisa Nandy is expected to speak in the Commons at around 5:30pm about the issues facing the broadcaster.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
David Dimbleby hits out at ‘ridiculous’ BBC
14:30 , Jane Dalton
Former Question Time host hits out at ‘ridiculous’ BBC amid Trump controversy
Watch: Legal hurdles Trump faces if he sues BBC
14:12 , Jane Dalton
Media lawyer explains significant legal hurdles Trump faces to sue BBC
Opinion: Starmer must help BBC in crisis
13:50 , Jane Dalton
The BBC is in a fight for its survival. It’s time the PM took heed
Key takeaways from Tim Davie's address
13:27 , Athena Stavrou• Tim Davie began by acknowledging it had been a “tough few days” and said “we all need to be looking after each other and making sure we set everything in context”.
• He insisted the BBC will “thrive” as he said the narrative “will not just be given by our enemies”.
• Stepping away from his personal decision to leave his post, he said the BBC is “more than one person” and said “it’s all of our actions together and us working and doing our business every single day”, praising the work done across the organisation.
• He said the BBC must “be very clear and stand up for our journalism”, saying he sees “the free press under pressure”, and insisted the BBC “must fight for our journalism.
• Davie said that while mistakes “have cost us”, he is “fiercely proud” and said its work “speaks louder than any newspaper, any weaponisation”.
• Speaking about his decision to resign he said the relentlessness of the role, the upcoming Charter renewal and criticism of the Panorama documentary on Trump were all contributing factors.
PM not spoken to Trump about BBC legal threat
13:02 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has not spoken to Donald Trump about the US president’s threatened legal action against the BBC, Downing Street has indicated.
Asked when the Prime Minister last spoke with Mr Trump, a No 10 spokesman said “I refer you back to whenever we last put out a read-out” and added that any calls would be set out in the usual way.
The official emphasised the “very strong relationship” between the UK and US leaders but evaded a question on whether that had been affected by Mr Trump’s spat with the broadcaster.
MPs to be asked to sign call for Robbie Gibb to be removed from BBC board
12:49 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
MPs from all parties are to be asked to sign a call for Robbie Gibb to be removed from the BBC board to maintain the BBC’s impartiality.
The former Theresa May adviser, who was appointed to the board by Boris Johnson, has been at the centre of the row over the BBC.
It follows claims that Sir Robbie “led the charge” in claims over systemic bias in the corporation, triggering the resignation of Mr Davie and the head of BBC News, Deborah Turness.
The Independent has been told the Lib Dems will later table an early day motion in the Commons, which can be signed by MPs of any party, calling on him to be removed.
The text of the EDM will read: “That this House notes with concern reports regarding the conduct of Sir Robbie Gibb in his capacity as a member of the BBC Board; recognises the importance of maintaining the Corporation’s independence and the confidence of the public in its governance and editorial processes;
“Observes that there have been claims of Gibb’s involvement in recruitment matters and editorial discussions that may have given rise to perceptions of partiality;
“Further notes concerns that deliberate delays precipitated by Gibb in addressing issues arising from the 2021 Panorama documentary created uncertainty about the Corporation’s position;
“Acknowledges that questions have been raised about the processes leading to certain senior appointments; considers that public trust in the BBC’s impartiality depends on transparent and independent governance;
“Believes that the impartiality of future appointments cannot be assured while he remains on the Board; and therefore calls upon the Government to remove Sir Robbie Gibb from his current position and to ensure that all future BBC Board appointments are conducted entirely independently of political influence.”
Downing Street refuses to comment on Trump legal threat
12:32 , Athena StavrouDowning Street declined to comment on Donald Trump’s threat to sue the BBC for one billion US dollars.
A Number 10 spokesman said: “This is a matter for the BBC.”
He added: “It’s clearly not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters.”
Asked whether the Government would help the BBC pay any damages that a court might award to the US president, the spokesman said: “Obviously, that’s a hypothetical question.
“Again, it’s not for the Government to comment on any ongoing legal matters.
“Our position is clear: The BBC is independent and it’s for the corporation to respond to questions about their editorial decisions and, more broadly, we have a close relationship with the US on shared priorities, including security.”
Pressure on Panorama bosses after Trump's threat to sue BBC for $1bn
12:19 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
Former culture secretary John Whittingdale told The Independent he was suprised no heads had rolled at Panorama.
He said: “I do think that Panorama is clearly, by far, the most obvious and serious failure by the BBC.
“Even now with the publication of a letter from Samir Shah, saying that it did amount to a distortion that presented a completely misleading impression. He referred it to it as an error of judgment. I personally, I would regard it as far more than simply an error of judgment.
“It raises real questions that the Panorama can have produced a programme which, as the BBC chair acknowledges, created an impression that was totally incorrect.
“So on that basis ultimately the director general and the head news have fallen on their swords, But the editor of Panorama and those who had more direct responsibility for approving the programme appear to have had no measure taken against them, no sanction whatsoever. That does surprise me.”
Davie: The free press is under pressure
12:10 , Athena StavrouTim Davie has told staff the BBC must “stand up for our journalism” as Donald Trump’s legal threat looms.
The outgoing general director said he sees a “free press under pressure” as he spoke to staff on a call on Tuesday morning.
“We have to be very clear and stand up for our journalism,” he said.
“We are a unique and precious organisation, and I see the free press under pressure, I see the weaponisation. I think we’ve got to fight for our journalism. I’m really proud of our work, and the amazing work locally, globally, that we’re doing is utterly precious.
“We have made some mistakes that have cost us, but we need to fight for that. And I’m fiercely proud of that and don’t let anyone stop you from thinking that we are doing a fantastic job.”
Davie does not address Trump legal challenge
11:57 , Athena StavrouTim Davie explained his departure and answered questions from BBC staff on a call on Tuesday.
But he did not address the topic in the headlines today - Donald Trump’s legal challenge.
According to BBC News, the outgoing director general acknowledged political pressures were “challenging”, but did not directly refer to the US president’s letter.
Davie explains his departure
11:47 , Athena StavrouWhile speaking to staff on a call on Tuesday morning, outgoing director general Tim Davie gave three key reasons for his departure.
BBC News reported he said the relentlessness of the role, the upcoming Charter renewal and criticism of the Panorama documentary on Trump were all contributing factors.
Tim Davie admits 'mistakes cost us' in call to staff
11:39 , Athena StavrouWe are getting some more lines out of the call to staff Tim Davie made in a 40-minute call this morning.
BBC News reported the outgoing director general said the corporation has made “some mistakes that have cost us”.
But he added the BBC must “fight for our journalism” amid a “tough few days”.
BBC chair dismisses 'conspiracy theories' about coups
11:15 , Athena StavrouIn a staff call on Tuesday morning, BBC chair Samir Shah dismissed “conspiracy theories” about Tim Davie and Deborah Turness being ousted.
Sky News reports that when asked about talk of coups and inside plots to oust the BBC’s general director and CEO of News, Mr Shah said: “I don't believe in conspiracy theories. The job of a board is to represent the public interest.”
Tim Davie addresses BBC staff in call
11:11 , Athena StavrouTim Davie has addressed BBC staff in a staff call on Tuesday morning.
According to Sky News, Davie told staff he “understands the frustration” but stressed delay in responding to claims was because “it's important when you're an organisation like the BBC to be careful and thorough and to get things right”.
He said Deborah Turness’ deputy, Jonathon Munro, would be running BBC News for “at least the next couple of days” and said: “It's important for everyone to keep calm heads and carry on as they would normally.”
What did the memo say?
11:02 , Athena StavrouThe publication of a leaked memo has prompted Tim Davie to resign and Donald Trump to launch a legal threat.
Written by former BBC advisor Michael Prescott, it raised several concerns about bias within the broadcaster.
Some of Mr Prescott’s concerns were as follows:
He said the BBC had an “anti-Trump” bias and had “misled” viewers in how a Panorama episode had edited his speech on January 6 2021.
Prescott said there had been “one sided” coverage of transgender issues.
He said there had been a “selection bias” against sending push alerts on the BBC News app about migration and asylum seekers.
Prescott also said the BBC had published “ill-researched” stories on racism, including a story about car insurance which has now been removed.
His memo also raised concerns about anti-Israel bias on the BBC’s Arabic service.
Threats to stop paying TV licence if Trump sues
10:47 , Athena StavrouBritons have said they would stop paying their TV licence fee if Trump successfully sued the BBC.
A caller on BBC 5 Live said: “If we have to pay a penny to Trump, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to pay my TV licence.”
Others said they didn’t think the BBC “has got any out in this” apart from paying compensation .
Ed Davey calls for Robbie Gibb to be ousted from BBC board
10:31 , Athena StavrouSir Ed Davey has called for Sir Robbie Gibb to be ousted from the BBC board.
The Liberal Democrat leader said that Sir Robbie – who served as Theresa May’s director of communications – should have “no role in appointing the new director general” following the departure of Tim Davie.
It follows claims that Sir Robbie “led the charge” in claims over systemic bias in the corporation, which was followed by the resignation of Mr Davie and the head of BBC News, Deborah Turness.
Writing in The Guardian, the Lib Dem leader said that “to ensure the BBC’s independence, impartiality and trust, Sir Robbie should have no role in appointing the new director general”.
He wrote: “The government should remove him from the board immediately – and end the practice of political appointments, which so badly undermines the BBC, altogether.”
Culture secretary to make Commons statement
10:12 , Athena StavrouAs a legal threat from the US president looms over the BBC, the culture secretary is set to make a statement on the matter.
Lisa Nandy is expected to speak in the Commons later today on the issues facing the broadcaster.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
Media lawyer explains significant legal hurdles Trump faces to sue BBC
09:52 , Athena StavrouA media lawyer has explained the “significant legal hurdles” Donald Trump faces to sue the BBC.
Media lawyer Mark Stephens appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday to discuss the hurdles the US president could face.
He explained: “The UK defamation claim is now out of time. He had one year from Monday October 28, 2024, when Panorama aired so he is 14 days out of time or so in the UK.”
Watch here:
Media lawyer explains significant legal hurdles Trump faces to sue BBC
Pictured: Tim Davie arrives at Broadcasting House
09:43 , Athena Stavrou
Starmer urged to call Trump over BBC row
09:34 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin reports:
Nigel Huddleston, the shadow culture secretary, has said the PM should telephone Donald Trump, who has threaten to sue the BBC for $1bn.
“I think probably we need to all appeal to Donald Trump to make it clear that it's licence payers, it's taxpayers that would suffer then because of the bad and poor decisions….and make it clear that they should be the ones held to account. And please don't penalise the rest of the British public,” he said.
“Donald Trump does like the UK. He likes Britons. And I hope that that expression would work. So hopefully Keir Starmer can do some calling here as well."
He also told Times Radio : ”If you look at the complaint he's got, the TV programme, the Panorama programme, he probably has legitimate claims to say, look, this was wrong and definitely requires and demands an apology.
“So I would advise the BBC to grovel here. They need to make sure that they communicate very clearly that they got this wrong and that they apologise.”
Davie arrives at Broadcasting House
09:19 , Athena StavrouTim Davie has just briefly spoken outside the BBC’s New Broadcasting House.
As he arrived on Tuesday morning, he said he was “proud” of BBC journalists and said: “I want to thank every one of them. They're doing a wonderful job.”
Who could replace Tim Davie?
09:17 , Athena StavrouAfter five years in the position, Tim Davie has resigned from his position as director general of the BBC.
Mr Davie’s successor will be appointed by the BBC Board and will be the corporation’s editorial, operational and creative leader.
Some leading candidates include former Channel 4 Chief Executive Alex Mahon, who was approached previously for the job but declined to be shortlisted.
Former editor of the Times and director of BBC News, James Harding, has also been mentioned as a possible replacement.
Charlotte Moore, who left her job as the chief content officer at the BBC this summer, was among those shortlisted in 2020.
Over 500 complaints received since memo leak
09:06 , Athena StavrouIn his letter to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday, BBC chair Samir Shah said the corporation had received hundreds of complaints since Michael Prescott’s memo was leaked.
The report was published by The Telegraph, and raised concerns about bias in a Panorama episode in which a speech by Donald Trump was spliced.
He said: “Since the publication of Mr Prescott’s memo, this issue has led to over 500 complaints. These are now being dealt with in the normal way.”
Board member 'led charge' in pressuring BBC over coverage - reports
08:47 , Athena StavrouReports have claimed that a board member with links to the Conservative Party “led the charge” in pressuring the BBC over systemic bias claims.
According to The Guardian, Robbie Gibb, who was appointed to the board by Boris Johnson, amplified criticisms in key meetings.
Ed Davey has called for Gibb to be removed saying: “To ensure the BBC’s independence, impartiality and trust, Gibb should have no role in appointing the new director general.
“The government should remove him from the board immediately – and end the practice of political appointments, which so badly undermines the BBC, altogether.”
Here is a bit more information from Chris Blackhurst about who Mr Gibb is:
[Michael] Prescott is a friend of Sir Robbie Gibb, Theresa May’s ex-spin doctor and one of those who later launched GB News. Gibb is one of five governmental appointees on the BBC board. He was put there by the Johnson regime.
Gibb was accused of trying to block Jess Brammar, the former executive editor of HuffPost UK and deputy editor of Newsnight, from overseeing the BBC’s news channels. When it came to the external adviser position, Gibb is said to have been keen for Prescott to obtain the brief and was a member of the four-strong panel that conducted the selection interviews.
What could happen today with the BBC?
08:39 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
The BBC is facing a Friday deadline to respond to Donald Trump's letter, or face the prospect of a billion-dollar legal action.
After the resignations of director-general Tim Davie and chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness on Sunday, culture secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to face questions from MPs on the crisis at the corporation at some point on Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that Mr Davie will hold an all-staff call later this morning, with employees expected to be given the chance to ask questions.
Elsewhere, the culture media and sport committee of MPs are thought to be due to meet privately to decide their next steps on the matter.
Tim Davie to address staff today
08:26 , Athena StavrouTim Davie is set to speak to all BBC staff today in the first time he’s spoken publicly since resigning as BBC director general.
Mr Davie will hold an all-staff call on Tuesday morning, BBC News reports.
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BBC ‘should apologise’ if they have made ‘editorial mistake’ minister says
08:18 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
The BBC should apologise to President Trump if they have made an ‘editorial mistake’, a minister has suggested.
Alison McGovern told LBC that if the corporation “made an editorial mistake then they should apologise.”
The local government minister told the station: “I think the BBC is probably choc-full of policies on what they should do when they make editorial mistakes, so I think they should stick to it.
“More broadly [...] I think if they’ve made errors I think the answer to that is better quality journalism and to invest in that journalism so that we can have the standard of programmes we all want from the BBC.”
How will the new BBC director-general be chosen?
08:15 , Shweta SharmaTim Davie's replacement as the BBC's director-general will be appointed by the corporation's board.
Leading a global workforce, the director-general is the BBC's editorial, operational and creative leader and is responsible for its services across television, radio and online.
Mr Davie's successor will be appointed by the BBC Board which ensures the corporation delivers its mission and public purposes.
The board is led by BBC chairman Samir Shah and consists of 10 non-executive members, including Mr Shah, and four executive members.
Four of the non-executive members are appointed as members for each of the UK nations.
In 2020, when Mr Davie was appointed, the BBC Board's nominations committee led the process for who would get the role.
The director-general's appointment is made under the terms of the BBC's Charter which is drawn up by the Government and sets out the terms and purposes for the corporation's existence.
The charter usually lasts for around a decade, with the current one ending on December 31 2027.
Watch: BBC 'can't be held to ransom,' says David Dimbleby after Tim Davie resigns
08:10 , Rebecca WhittakerInside the BBC Trump speech furore that prompted dramatic resignations of bosses
08:00 , Shweta SharmaThe BBC is under immense pressure following the resignation of Tim Davie amid continuing furore over its editing of a speech by Donald Trump in a documentary.
The broadcaster’s director-general resigned on Sunday alongside the chief executive of news, Deborah Turness, following repeated controversies over impartiality claims.
The latest controversy involved a BBC Panorama episode called Trump: A Second Chance?, which critics have said was misleading in the way it edited the president’s speech on 6 January 2021.
Inside the BBC Trump speech furore that prompted dramatic resignations of bosses
Minister not concerned about 'Tory influence' at BBC
07:54 , Rebecca WhittakerA minister would not be drawn on whether she was concerned about “Tory influence” at the BBC.
Asked whether she was concerned, Alison McGovern told Times Radio: “I think that there’s lots of people who work in the BBC, and I’m sure they’ve got all kinds of political opinions.
“And do you know what? I think that’s none of my business, as long as they do their jobs properly.
“As journalists, it’s none of my business how they vote or if they vote at all.
“I just want to see the BBC doing what it can do best.”
Country should not have 'meltdown' over the BBC, suggests minister
07:42 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Independent’s political correspondent Caitlin Doherty reports:
The UK should not have a “national meltdown” about the BBC, a minister has said.
Alison McGovern, who serves as local government minister, told Times Radio that the "question I have is, has there been bad editing here? Has there been issues?"
She told the station: “If there has, the answer to that is to get better editing and to invest in quality journalism and sort the problems out.
“I don’t think we need to have a national meltdown about this.
“I think we need to make sure that the BBC, one of our most trusted media organisations, invests in quality journalism and tells the stories that we all want to hear.”
BBC chair Samir Shah did not wanted to lose Tim Davie
05:00 , Shweta SharmaBBC chairman Samir Shah has said he "did not want to lose" former director-general Tim Davie, who resigned on Sunday.
Mr Davie's departure came after a report by Michael Prescott found that a speech by Donald Trump for BBC documentary series Panorama had been selectively edited, and came alongside the resignation of BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.
Speaking on BBC News, Mr Shah, 73, said: "I did not want to lose Tim Davie, I think Tim Davie has been an outstanding director-general, and may I say, nor did any member of the board.
"We were upset by the decision, I do understand it at a very human level, Tim has gone through a lot of attacks, it's been relentless.
"It's also a very, very difficult job to join, the BBC is a huge, massive enterprise, and asks a lot of the director-general in terms of just his physical resilience and also emotional, and I do think it's a characteristic, I would say, that we really do enjoy beating people up.
"And you've got to remember that these people are human, they have families, they have emotions, and you can't consistently do that just because you want to give somebody a kicking, it's not fair.
"It wasn't fair on Tim, I've got to know Tim very well over the last 15 months, and I have huge admiration for what he's done, and it's an admiration shared by the board."
Criticism of position of ex-Tory aide on BBC board
03:15 , Jane DaltonSir Robbie Gibb's position on the BBC board is being called into question amid bias accusations at the broadcaster.
Sir Robbie served as director of communications for Theresa May when she was in Downing Street as Conservative prime minister before his appointment to the broadcaster's board.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney said his position fuelled doubt and debate about BBC independence and impartiality.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Sir Robbie should be removed from the board immediately.
SNP leader Mr Swinney told LBC: "Robbie Gibb is a very clearly affiliated party political figure on the board of the BBC.
"If the BBC wants to be viewed as an impartial organisation that's authoritative, that reflects the independence of commentary, then I think Robbie Gibb's position is untenable."
In The Guardian, Sir Ed wrote that Sir Robbie should not have a say in choosing the BBC's next director-general.
'Right-wing campaign' aimed to undermine BBC, supporters claim
00:40 , Jane DaltonSupporters of the BBC, including journalists at The Guardian and The Financial Times, and some BBC staff, believe there was an orchestrated right-wing campaign to undermine the corporation, according to statements they’ve made.
"This is a crisis created by political and commercial opponents to public service broadcasting and the BBC," said Diane Coyle, an economist and vice-chair of a former BBC governing body.
The supporters say daily leaks of criticism from the memo ramped up pressure, while high-profile figures such as former Conservative prime minister Boris Johnson fuelled the controversy.
Alan Rusbridger, former editor of The Guardian who now heads Prospect magazine, said many on the BBC board came from a background of finance or business, or had not worked in journalism for a long time. He said as well as a new director-general, the corporation needed stronger governance.
"The board itself is not really well placed to make fine editorial judgements," he said.
"Any director-general coming in would want to know who's got their back and whether there are people who can make the judgements and defend the journalism when it needs to be defended, or reach sophisticated judgements on when it needs to be corrected or apologised for."
The BBC's media correspondent, Katie Razzall, and political presenter Nick Robinson both said they had been told there was a clash with the board, with news executives wanting to publish an apology and the board preventing it.
BBC unwilling to listen to internal systems, says presenter
Monday 10 November 2025 23:20 , Jane DaltonThe controversy arose because the corporation was "not willing" to listen to "the recommendations of their own internal system for checking bias", a former presenter claims.
Mark Urban, former diplomatic editor of Newsnight, told Sky News: "This crisis has come about because the BBC, including Deborah Turness, were not willing to listen to and act sufficiently energetically upon the recommendations of their own internal system for checking bias.”
He highlighted reporting of gender issues, race and Gaza.
"And I think when you put all those things collectively together, we understand, and if you've been in meetings, as I have for many years, you've seen the BBC change in recent years, I think, in common with many other news organisations and many other publicly funded organisations, but you've seen that much more - for want of a better word - woke tendency among younger members of staff, and the tension between young and old.
"And of course that's what's burst out here."
Trump lawyers claim BBC defamed him
Monday 10 November 2025 15:47 , Jane DaltonThe BBC “defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary in order to try and interfere in the presidential election", a spokesman for the president's outside legal team told NBC News.
But former head of news Deborah Turness denied this, saying: “Of course our journalists aren’t corrupt. Our journalists are hardworking people who strive for impartiality."
She said "the buck stops with me. But I’d like to make one thing very clear: BBC News is not institutionally biased."
Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn
Monday 10 November 2025 15:34 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump has reportedly threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn (£760m).
His lawyers are demanding a retraction by this Friday.
In a letter from the US president's lawyers to the BBC and seen by NBC News, the US president set the BBC a deadline of 5pm EST (10pm in the UK) Friday to "comply", Sky News reports.
The letter says that if the corporation does not: "President Trump will be left with no alternative but to enforce his legal and equitable rights, all of which are expressly reserved and are not waived, including by filing legal action for no less than $1,000,000,000 (One Billion Dollars) in damages. The BBC is on notice."
A spokesperson for Trump's legal team told NBC: "The BBC defamed President Trump by intentionally and deceitfully editing its documentary in order to try and interfere in the Presidential Election. President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who traffic in lies, deception, and fake news."
A BBC spokesperson told NBC News: "We will review the letter and respond directly in due course."
Trump threatens legal action against BBC
Monday 10 November 2025 13:48 , Athena StavrouDonald Trump has threatened legal action against the BBC in a letter, BBC News has reported.
The BBC chair earlier told BBC News that they had received communication from President Trump, adding: “We are now considering how to reply to him.”
Asked if Mr Trump has said he will be suing the BBC, Mr Shah said: “I do not know that yet, but he’s a litigious fellow so we should be prepared for all outcomes.”
Trump has filed defamation lawsuits against media companies before, most notably the New York Times.
