Tim Davie has resigned as the BBC’s director-general.<\/p>\n
The chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness has also resigned.<\/p>\n
It comes as the corporation is expected to apologise on Monday following concerns about impartiality, including how a speech by US President Donald Trump was edited in an episode of Panorama.<\/p>\n
The concerns regard clips spliced together from sections of the US president’s speech on January 6 2021 to make it appear he told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell” in the documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which was broadcast by the BBC the week before last year’s US election.<\/p>\n
Mr Davie sent a message to staff on Sunday afternoon, saying it was “entirely” his decision to quit.<\/p>\n
He said: “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.<\/p>\n
“Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable.<\/p>\n
“While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.<\/p>\n
“Overall, the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.”<\/p>\n
Ms Turness told staff the “ongoing controversy” around the edition of Panorama “has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution that I love.<\/p>\n
“As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me – and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.<\/p>\n
“In public life leaders need to be fully accountable, and that is why I am stepping down. While mistakes have been made, I want to be absolutely clear recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are wrong.”<\/p>\n
The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that a memo by a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee raised the issue, as well as other concerns about impartiality, in the summer.<\/p>\n
Mr Davie took the role in 2020, replacing Tony Hall.<\/p>\n
During his time in charge of the broadcaster, he has dealt with a number of high-profile controversies within the corporation.<\/p>\n
They include a row over former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker’s sharing of his political views, top presenter Huw Edwards being convicted of making indecent images of children, and the BBC’s broadcasting of Bob Vylan’s controversial Glastonbury performance.<\/p>\n
Mr Davie, who had a career in marketing and finance before joining the BBC’s marketing team in 2005, was previously acting director-general from November 2012 until April 2013.<\/p>\n
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.<\/p>\n
Please refresh the page for the latest version.<\/p>\n
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