BBC director resigns after Panorama edited Trump's speech on Capitol Hill riots

BBC director general Tim Davie has resigned after a Panorama documentary edited a speech by Donald Trump.

The CEO of News, Deborah Turness, has also resigned following the criticism.

This comes after The Telegraph reported on Tuesday (4 November) that a memo by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, raised concerns in the summer.

They were regarding clips spliced together from sections of Trump's speech on 6 January 2021, which are said to have made it appear as though he told supporters he would walk to the US Capitol with them to 'fight like hell'.

It, however, omitted the section where he told the crowd 'to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard'. The documentary, Trump: A Second Chance?, was broadcast by the BBC the week before last year's election.

In his resignation statement, Davie said: "I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years.

Tim Davie said he takes 'ultimate responsibility'. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

"This is entirely my decision, and I remain very thankful to the Chair and Board for their unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days.

"I am working through exact timings with the Board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months.

"I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years in these febrile times, combined with the fact that I want to give a successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will be delivering.

"In these increasingly polarised times, the BBC is of unique value and speaks to the very best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; overwhelmingly kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.

"Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility."