After Donald Trump accused the BBC of having “corrupt journalists,” Keir Starmer dismissed the claim. Downing Street supported the BBC, praising it as a globally respected institution and refuting claims of institutional bias. Following the resignation of BBC Director General Tim Davie and News Chief Executive Deborah Turness, Trump hailed the resignations as a revelation of “corrupt journalists.” He also threatened legal action against the BBC.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman emphasized the importance of the BBC in combating disinformation and the necessity for swift corrections to maintain trust. There was no confirmation on whether the BBC license fee was under review. Criticism mounted against the BBC for allegedly manipulating footage of Trump’s speech before the Capitol Hill riots in January 2021.
During the speech on that fateful day in Washington DC, Trump encouraged his supporters to protest the election certification, though no credible evidence supported claims of election theft. The White House condemned the BBC for editing Trump’s speech, calling it “100% fake news” and a “propaganda machine.”
In response to the controversy, BBC Chair Samir Shah addressed concerns over the Panorama episode, acknowledging an error in editing the speech, which gave the impression of inciting violence. The BBC apologized for the misjudgment. Despite the resignations, BBC’s Deborah Turness affirmed that the organization is not institutionally biased, asserting its status as a trusted news source.
For more UK political insights, subscribe to our daily email briefing.