BBC Board Member Accused of Leading Bias Campaign
A BBC board member with strong Conservative party connections has been identified as leading internal pressure against the corporation's leadership over allegations of systemic bias in coverage of Donald Trump, Gaza and transgender rights, according to multiple sources.
Robbie Gibb, who previously served as Theresa May's communications chief before being appointed to the BBC board during Boris Johnson's administration, allegedly amplified criticisms during crucial board meetings that preceded the shock resignation of both director general Tim Davie and head of BBC News Deborah Turness.
Political Pressure Mounts on BBC Leadership
Insiders revealed that Gibb "led the charge" at two significant board meetings discussing a memo by Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to the BBC's editorial guidelines and standards committee. The most recent meeting occurred last Thursday, where additional pressure was applied to Deborah Turness regarding Prescott's allegations.
Sources expressed concern about the board's composition, noting that many members lack substantial editorial experience. This reportedly allowed Gibb to dominate discussions, with one insider stating he had "a lot of oxygen in the room." The situation was compounded by the absence of one board member known to be supportive of the BBC's editorial efforts during last week's critical meeting.
External Reactions and Legal Threats
The controversy has drawn significant political attention, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey demanding Gibb's immediate removal from the BBC board. In a Guardian article, Davey argued that Gibb's political background and alleged editorial interference make him unsuitable for the role, particularly during the search for a new director general.
Meanwhile, the BBC faces external legal pressure from Donald Trump, who has threatened the corporation with a billion-dollar lawsuit over a Panorama programme that edited together parts of a speech he made before the January 2021 Capitol attack. Trump's legal team has given the BBC until Friday to respond to their demands.
BBC chair Samir Shah has acknowledged an "error of judgment" in the Trump speech editing but pushed back against broader allegations of bias. In a letter to the Commons culture, media and sport committee, Shah described Prescott's memo as a "partial" and "personal" account that doesn't reflect the full picture of internal discussions.
The ongoing crisis has highlighted deep divisions within the BBC, with staff showing support for Turness through applause during editorial meetings, while leadership struggles to navigate both internal and external pressures on the corporation's editorial independence.
