Former BBC Africa editor Martin Plough found himself in a heated row with GB News host Andrew Pierce today over the Donald Trump Panorama scandal.
The row came as the duo discussed BBC Chairman Dr Samir Shah’s apology yesterday as he spoke about the corporation’s “mistakes and the impact they have had” while speaking to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
Speaking about this on The People’s Channel, Andrew said: “He did say the chairman apologised for the confusion and the chaos, apologising to viewers, licence payers, and also to BBC staff.
“But he then went on to say you could make a case for why that programme was edited in that way, which I would argue was an attempt to deliberately deceive viewers.
“Do you accept there is a case that could be made for editing the programme like that?”
Mr Plough snapped in response: “Well, you’ve obviously made up your minds about it. You’ve already decided it’s going to run and run.”
Andrew tried to interject: “No, can I just say I watched the programme”
Mr Plough said: “Yes and you’ve already decided to run…”
Martin Plough found himself in a heated row with GB News host Andrew Pierce
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GB NEWS
Andrew bluntly said: I’ve read the speech, so I’m giving you my opinion. I am now asking your opinion.”
Martin Plough responded: “Thank you. If I may respond in my view, what was done was wrong. That is quite evident.
“Anyone who has worked on a BBC newsdesk knows you can’t do that to anybody, but particularly not to politicians.
“One of the interesting things, you called it a notorious Panorama, actually. One thing I’ve tried to do, and have done recently, is look at it again.
“The amazing thing is how favourable it is to Trump overall. The specific edit is indefensible, but the programme as a whole isn’t bad.”
Explained what he meant when he labelled the programmer “notorious” Andrew explained: “Why did I call it notorious? Because it caused the resignation of the Director-General of the BBC and the Director of News.
“That’s why it’s infamous. I’ve watched the programme it is a good programme, but that editing was, as you say, unacceptable.
“Isn’t it disturbing, then, that the chairman says you could make a case for the way it was mis-edited?
Martin Plough agreed: “Yeah, I agree with you. That was wrong. I don’t agree with him on it, and that’s the end of the matter. I can’t say anything more on that.”
The BBC issued an apology to Donald Trump over the Panorama episode that edited together sections of his January 6, 2021, speech, but rejected his calls for financial compensation.
The broadcaster said the edits had “created the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action” and confirmed it would not air the 2024 programme again.
Mr Trump’s legal team had threatened to pursue $1billion in damages unless the BBC issued a retraction, apology, and compensation.
Michael Prescott, the former BBC adviser whose leaked memo highlighted concerns over the speech’s editing, gave evidence to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
He said he hoped the broadcaster would resolve Tim Davie’s “blind spot” on editorial failings quietly.
“I took no pleasure in seeing people feel compelled to leave their jobs,” Prescott told the committee. He added of Davie: “I liked him personally.
“He did a first-rate job across most of his portfolio, 80 or 90 per cent of it, but he had this blind spot on editorial failings. It’s a bit of a tragedy he’s gone. He was a supreme talent, but this blind spot was his weakness.”