BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness Resign Following Panorama Trump Controversy
The Director General of the BBC, Tim Davie, and the Head of News, Deborah Turness, have both resigned from their positions following mounting criticism over an edition of the BBC’s flagship investigative program Panorama, which was accused of misleadingly editing a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The controversy erupted after The Telegraph reported that internal memos suggested the program had altered the order of Trump’s words during his January 6, 2021, speech in Washington D.C. to make it appear that he had incited supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol. The revelation prompted intense scrutiny of the BBC’s editorial integrity and impartiality.
In messages sent to BBC staff via email, both executives acknowledged that mistakes had been made. Turness said the ongoing dispute over the Trump documentary had “reached a point where it was damaging the BBC, an organization I love,” and that as the executive in charge of BBC News, she had to take ultimate responsibility.
Tim Davie, who became Director General in September 2020 after years in senior roles at the BBC and in the corporate sector, said the recent controversy had contributed to his decision to step down. “Although this is not the only reason, the debate around BBC News is understandably part of my decision,” he said. “Overall, the BBC is in good shape, but errors have been made, and as Director General, I must take ultimate responsibility.”
Davie, who previously led BBC Studios and worked at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo before joining the corporation, had faced several challenges during his tenure, including disputes involving presenter Gary Lineker, the handling of the Gaza conflict documentary Inside the Battle for Gaza, and other high-profile editorial controversies.
Deborah Turness, who joined the BBC in 2022 as Chief Executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, was responsible for overseeing a staff of more than 6,000 journalists producing news in over 40 languages for nearly half a billion global viewers. Before joining the BBC, she served as CEO of ITN and as President of NBC News International.
According to The Telegraph, a confidential memo written by former editorial adviser Michael Prescott raised concerns that Panorama had edited together separate parts of Trump’s speech combining a remark about “fighting like hell” from a different section to imply he was urging violence. Prescott’s memo also warned that this could seriously undermine public trust in the BBC.
The BBC has launched an internal review into the program and other allegations of bias, including coverage of the Israel-Gaza war and social issues.
Davie’s resignation comes at a sensitive time, as the UK government is preparing to review the BBC’s Royal Charter the agreement that underpins its existence before it expires in 2027. Davie said in his resignation statement that his departure would allow a new leader to guide the corporation into the next charter period.
The BBC Board, led by Chair Samir Shah, will oversee the appointment of Davie’s successor. Potential candidates reportedly include Charlotte Moore, BBC’s Chief Content Officer; Jay Hunt, a senior British TV executive; and James Harding, the former BBC News Director.
Davie’s resignation marks the end of a turbulent five-year tenure at the world’s most recognized public broadcaster one defined by both digital transformation and recurring debates about editorial fairness, impartiality, and public accountability.
