BBC director normal Tim Davie and BBC Information boss Deborah Turness have resigned from the company.
It comes following issues about impartiality, together with how a speech by US President Donald Trump was edited in an episode of Panorama.
The issues had been over clips spliced collectively from sections of Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021 to make it seem he instructed supporters he was going to stroll to the US Capitol with them to “combat like hell” within the documentary Trump: A Second Likelihood?, which was broadcast by the BBC the week earlier than final 12 months’s US election.
Asserting his resignation Davie mentioned: “In these more and more polarised instances, the BBC is of distinctive worth and speaks to the easiest of us. It helps make the UK a particular place; overwhelmingly variety, tolerant and curious.
NEW: Tim Davie resignation e mail to employees.
“You’ll ask why now? why this second?” pic.twitter.com/dTTJegMe35
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) November 9, 2025
“Like all public organisations, the BBC isn’t good, and we should at all times be open, clear and accountable.
“Whereas not being the one motive, the present debate round BBC Information has understandably contributed to my resolution. Total, the BBC is delivering properly, however there have been some errors made and as Director-Normal I’ve to take final accountability.”
Mr Davie, who had a profession in advertising and finance earlier than becoming a member of the BBC’s advertising crew in 2005, was beforehand appearing director-general from November 2012 till April 2013.
In her letter of resignation, Turness mentioned the “ongoing controversy” across the version of Panorama “has reached a stage the place it’s inflicting harm to the BBC – an establishment that I really like”.
She added: “Because the CEO of BBC Information and Present Affairs, the buck stops with me – and I took the choice to supply my resignation to the Director-Normal final night time.
“In public life leaders must be totally accountable, and that’s the reason I’m stepping down. Whereas errors have been made, I wish to be completely clear latest allegations that BBC Information is institutionally biased are mistaken.”
BBC Chair, Samir Shah mentioned it was “a tragic day for the BBC” and praised Davie for being an “excellent Director-Normal for the final 5 years”.
Shah added: “He has had the complete assist of me and the Board all through. Nevertheless, I perceive the continued strain on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this resolution right this moment. The entire Board respects the choice and the explanations for it.
“Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He’s a faithful and inspirational chief and an absolute believer within the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved an awesome deal. Foremost, below his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to fulfill the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competitors is properly underway.
“Personally, I’ll miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I’ll miss working with him. I want him and his household the easiest for the long run.”
He mentioned Turness had “acted with integrity in difficult circumstances and leaves a robust legacy from which to construct for the various thousands and thousands around the globe who depend on and belief the voice of BBC Information every single day”.
Throughout his time in control of the BBC, Davie handled numerous high-profile controversies together with a row over former Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker’s sharing of his political opinions, Huw Edwards being convicted of constructing indecent pictures of youngsters, and the BBC’s broadcasting of Bob Vylan‘s controversial Glastonbury efficiency.
At this 12 months’s occasion, the punk duo delivered a controversial efficiency on the West Holts Stage, utilizing their platform to voice their assist for the individuals of Palestine, name out the Israeli army and criticise the BBC, in addition to the UK and US governments.
In essentially the most provocative second of the set, Vylan instructed the large crowd, “have you ever heard this one?”, earlier than main a chant of “demise, demise to the IDF”. It led to a prison investigation from Avon and Somerset Police, in addition to the cancellation of a number of worldwide reveals and the revocation of their US visas.
Having lately given his first in-depth interview on the topic on The Louis Theroux Podcast, wherein he mentioned he was “not regretful” of his remarks, frontman Vylan hit again at British Airways after it pulled its Louis Theroux podcast sponsorship.
It is a growing information story.
