Nigel Farage has issued a warning to the BBC following the resignations of the broadcaster’s director-general Tim Davie and its News CEO Deborah Turness.
The pair announced their resignations at the same time after it was revealed the BBC misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump to make it appear he had explicitly encouraged the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.
Two parts of Mr Trump’s speech were edited together in the BBC Panorama programme, giving the illusion Trump had made statements he never actually uttered, according to a leaked internal memo.
Mr Davie, who was director-general for five years, oversaw a number of BBC controversies, including its coverage of Gaza and Glastonbury.
Responding to the news of the resignation, Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage MP said: “Davie and Turness’ going must be the start of wholesale change.
“The Government need to appoint somebody with a record of coming in and turning companies and their cultures around.
“Preferably, it would be someone coming in from the private sector who has run a forward-facing business and understands PR.
“This is the BBC’s last chance. If they don’t get this right, there will be vast numbers of people refusing to pay the licence fee.”
Nigel Farage warned this could be the BBC’s ‘last chance’ after Tim Davie resigned as director-general
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PA
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey echoed much of the Reform UK leader in his desire to initiate change within the broadcaster.
However, he went one step further, issuing an attack on Nigel Farage for wanting to “destroy” the 1922-established service.
Mr Davey said: “The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be a chance for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and not give in to those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it.
“We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage’s Britain.”
In a statement on his resignation, Mr Davie said: “I wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years.
“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.”
A timeline of scandals overseen by BBC director-general Tim Davie
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GB NEWS
Mr Davie’s decision comes after a memo by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, raised concerns months ago about the way the way clips of the US President’s speech on January 6, 2021 were spliced together in Trump: A Second Chance? to make it appear he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell”.
The documentary was broadcast by the BBC the week before last year’s US election, which critics have said was misleading and removed a section where the US President said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully.
The BBC has been criticised for a number of failings in recent months, including breaching its own accuracy editorial guidelines, livestreaming the controversial Bob Vylan Glastonbury set, as well as misconduct allegations surrounding the former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace.
Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “The decision by Tim Davie to step down is regrettable given the huge commitment to the BBC and public service broadcasting he has demonstrated during his time at the helm, but restoring trust in the corporation must come first.
“The BBC Board must now begin the long process of rebuilding the corporation’s reputation both at home and abroad, after the damage caused by what has become a seemingly constant stream of crises and missteps.
“The Committee will be meeting on Tuesday to consider the BBC Chair’s response to our letter and next steps.
“At the same time, the Government should bring forward the Charter Review process so the public and Parliament can help shape the future direction of the BBC.”