Donald’s Trump’s threat to sue the over the editing of his speech in a documentary dominates Tuesday’s papers. The Daily Telegraph reports that the US president is demanding an apology, retraction and payout by Friday if the broadcaster wants to avoid legal action. Trump’s threat comes as chairman Samir Shah apologised for the editing of the Panorama documentary and acknowledged that an “error of judgement” had been made. However, Shah denied the “sought to bury” issues raised in an internal memo regarding editorial decisions.
“Trump’s $1bn battle with ‘corrupt’ ” is the Metro’s take. The paper quotes the US president’s letter to the , accusing the broadcaster of making “false, defamatory, disparaging, misleading, and inflammatory statements” about him. In her statement, outgoing head of news Deborah Turness acknowledged that “mistakes have been made” but insisted the corporation was not “institutionally biased”.
The Sun splashes its front page with “Beeb’s billion dollar bungle”, quoting Trump’s legal letter which said he suffered “overwhelming harm” due to the editing of the Panorama documentary. chair Samir Shah has insisted it was “simply not true” the organisation has done nothing to tackle problems that were raised.
“Trump does a Dr Evil” declares the Daily Star, alongside a photoshopped image of Trump in a Dr Evil pose from the Austin Powers film series.
“Future of the licence fee in jeopardy” says the i Paper, as it reports that Labour is considering “a range of options” to replace the broadcaster’s licence fee. The paper also features quotes from news executives still reeling from the resignation of director general Tim Davie, who say “the mood is dark. We need leadership”.
A photo of ‘s outgoing head of news Deborah Turness is front and centre on the Independent. The paper features Turness’ comments to reporters outside Broadcasting House after her resignation, saying: “The buck stops with me.”
Turness is also pictured on the front page of the Daily Mail, as the paper predicts that ” suits” might regret turning on “Hurricane Deborah”. In its main story, the Mail says lawyers for Trump have put the “on notice” – a situation that prompts the headline “Grovel – or I’ll sue you for $1bn”.
The Financial Times describes the current crisis at the as a “fight for the broadcaster’s soul”. The paper reports that Downing Street has defended the broadcaster by expressing its “huge support for a strong and independent “.
While other front pages focus on Trump and the ‘s two big departures, the Guardian moves its focus on to a third key figure under pressure. The paper says board member Robbie Gibb, who was appointed to his role by Boris Johnson and previously worked for Theresa May as her communications chief, “led the charge” in pressuring the broadcaster’s leadership over allegations of systemic bias. The front page references an article inside the paper by Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey, in which he labels Gibb a Conservative crony and urges his removal from the board.
” is told: say sorry or Trump will sue for $1bn” is the headline leading The Times. But also on the front page, the paper says Chancellor Rachel Reeves has given her “clearest indication” that she is prepared to break Labour’s manifesto by raising income tax. Reeves says she “of course” would like to stick to the pledge, but doing so would require cuts to spending that would damage productivity, the Times reports.
The Daily Express follows with a warning to the chancellor from campaigners, who urge her to spare pensioners from “vindictive” tax rises. Alongside, the paper teases a “Wicked reunion” with a photo of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the film’s London premiere.
Finally, the Daily Mirror features Prince William opening up on the challenges of dealing with wife Catherine’s cancer battle. The paper quotes the prince, saying: “Hiding stuff doesn’t work. We chose to communicate a lot more.”
President Donald Trump’s threat of legal action against the features on most of the front pages, including the Sun which describes Panorama’s edit of his speech as the “Beeb’s Billion Dollar Bungle”.
“Trump Tells : Grovel – Or I’ll Sue”, says the Daily Mail’s headline.
The Daily Telegraph says the “extraordinary” move by the US president has “turned the screw” on a corporation that’s “reeling” from the resignations of the director general and the head of news.
While the i Paper says the future of the licence fee is now in jeopardy, with the “left weakened” ahead of negotiations with the government.
The Guardian claims a board member with links to the Conservatives “led the charge” in pressuring the corporation’s leadership over claims of systemic bias, before Tim Davie and Deborah Turness announced they were stepping down.
Sources have told the paper that Theresa May’s former director of communications, Sir Robbie Gibb, “amplified the criticism” in key meetings. Writing in the Guardian, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey says Sir Robbie should be removed from the board before the search begins for a new director general.
Comments to the by the chancellor – signalling she could scrap the two-child benefit cap – are highlighted by the Times. It says Rachel Reeves appeared confident of funding the move – thought to cost more than £3bn – despite Treasury concerns that levies on gambling will not be enough.
The Guardian says Reeves is hoping that removing the cap will placate many Labour MPs who are concerned about the political consequences of raising income tax.
The main news for the Daily Mirror is a new interview by the Prince of Wales – given to a TV channel in Brazil – in which the heir to the throne revealed that he and the Princess of Wales were honest with their children about her cancer diagnosis.
“Hiding stuff doesn’t work. We chose to communicate a lot more”, he says. The paper’s leader column applauds the “openness” of the royal couple, noting honesty is the “best policy”, allowing love, patience and clarity to steady even the stormiest seas.
