Lawyers representing US President Donald Trump have demanded that the BBC withdraw its Panorama documentary by 14 November or face legal action seeking “no less” than $1 billion, according to a letter sent yesterday.
Mr Trump issued a warning to the broadcaster, threatening to sue over what he claims were misleadingly edited clips of his speech aired just before the 2021 attack on the US Capitol, reports RTE.
A BBC spokesperson stated: “We will review the letter and respond directly in due course.”
BBC chair Samir Shah previously confirmed that the organisation had received correspondence from Mr Trump concerning the edits made to the Panorama episode, which aired shortly before last year’s US election, but did not specify whether the president had formally threatened legal action, reports RTE.
He said: “We are now considering how to reply to him.”
When asked directly if Mr Trump had indicated plans to sue the BBC, Mr Shah replied: “I do not know that yet, but he’s a litigious fellow so we should be prepared for all outcomes.”
Earlier, Mr Shah expressed regret for what he described as an “error of judgement” in the editing of the broadcast, reports RTE.
The apology came after the resignations of two senior BBC figures — chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness and director-general Tim Davie — who stepped down following internal concerns raised in a memo.
Mr Shah explained that a review of the footage had taken place and that the broadcaster acknowledged it should have been more transparent about the changes made to Mr Trump’s original comments, reports RTE.
“It is absolutely clear the BBC must champion impartiality,” Mr Shah wrote to British MPs, adding that the corporation is committed to rebuilding public confidence and ensuring its journalism adheres to the highest standards of fairness.
In his response to the UK’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Mr Shah noted the BBC had received over 500 complaints since the memo surfaced, adding: “We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action,” reports RTE.
The memo, authored by Michael Prescott, a former adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, raised concerns earlier this year about how segments of the US president’s 6 January 2021 speech were pieced together in Trump: A Second Chance?, suggesting it falsely implied Mr Trump told supporters he would accompany them to the Capitol to “fight like hell”.
Earlier, Ms Turness insisted the broadcaster is “not institutionally biased” and that its journalists are not “corrupt”, reports RTE.
Arriving at Broadcasting House in central London, she told reporters: “I would like to say it has been the privilege of my career to serve as the CEO of BBC News and to work with our brilliant team of journalists.
“I stepped down over the weekend because the buck stops with me,
“But I’d like to make one thing very clear, BBC News is not institutionally biased. That’s why it’s the world’s most trusted news provider,” reports RTE.
When questioned about corruption among BBC journalists, she responded: “Of course our journalists aren’t corrupt, our journalists are hard working people who strive for impartiality, and I will stand by their journalism.
“There is no institutional bias. Mistakes are made, but there’s no institutional bias,” reports RTE.
Asked why certain errors — including those related to Mr Trump, antisemitism, and women’s rights — were not addressed sooner, Ms Turness answered: “I’m sure that story will emerge.”
Critics of the Panorama documentary, which aired shortly before last year’s US election, argued it was deceptive and omitted a portion of Mr Trump’s speech in which he urged supporters to demonstrate peacefully, reports RTE.
Mr Shah described the day’s developments as a “sad day” for the BBC, while committee chairwoman Caroline Dinenage said Mr Davie’s resignation was “regrettable” but that “restoring trust in the corporation must come first.”
Mr Davie noted his departure would not happen immediately, saying he was “working through” the timeline to ensure an “orderly transition” in the months ahead. Meanwhile, Ms Turness stated that the Panorama controversy had “reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love,” reports RTE.
In a message sent to BBC staff, Mr Davie said his decision to resign was made “entirely” by himself and that he was “thankful” to the chairman and board for their “unswerving and unanimous support” throughout his leadership.
He said: “Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable,” reports RTE.
The BBC has faced criticism for several issues in recent months, including breaches of its own editorial standards, livestreaming the controversial Bob Vylan set at Glastonbury, and misconduct allegations against former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
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