BBC director general Tim Davie and news CEO Deborah Turness resign after Trump documentary controversy

BBC Director General Tim Davie and CEO of News Deborah Turness have both resigned following backlash over an edited segment in a Panorama documentary about U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the BBC’s live coverage.

The resignations came after the Telegraph revealed details from a leaked internal BBC memo suggesting that Panorama combined two separate parts of Trump’s January 2021 speech, making it appear as though he explicitly encouraged the Capitol Hill riots. The memo, reportedly authored by Michael Prescott, a former independent adviser to the broadcaster’s editorial standards committee, raised concerns about the documentary’s editorial integrity. Prescott left his advisory role in June 2025.

In his resignation statement shared late Sunday, Davie said his decision to step down was his own, emphasizing that he takes “ultimate responsibility” for the mistakes made. “I have been reflecting on the very intense personal and professional demands of managing this role over many years,” he said. “While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.” Davie, who has served as Director General since 2020, described the BBC as a “unique and vital institution” that remains “a symbol of tolerance and curiosity” in a polarized era.

BBC Chair Samir Shah acknowledged the departures, calling it a “sad day for the BBC.” He praised Davie as a “devoted and inspirational leader” who had “achieved a great deal” during his tenure. Shah added that the entire Board respected the decision and the pressures that led to it.

Turness, who became CEO of BBC News in 2023, has not yet issued a detailed public statement but is expected to leave her position in the coming weeks.

Davie’s resignation marks the end of a five-year tenure marked by both modernization efforts and controversies, including debates over the broadcaster’s political impartiality and event coverage such as Glastonbury.