In a significant address to thousands of BBC staff, outgoing director-general Tim Davie has spoken publicly for the first time since announcing his resignation. This follows a leaked memo revealing that clips of a Donald Trump speech from 6 January 2021 were spliced together in the Panorama programme Trump: A Second Chance?, which aired in October 2024 just before the US election.
A Message of Resilience Amid the Storm
During a 45-minute all-staff call, Tim Davie acknowledged it had been "a tough few days" for the broadcaster, which also faces a looming $1bn legal threat from the former US president. Drawing on his experience of previous BBC crises, he sought to reassure employees questioning the corporation's future.
"And maybe one of my biggest emotions at the moment is I care desperately about the organisation, the thousands of people who work for it," Mr Davie stated. He emphasised the need for staff to support one another, adding, "I think what I would say is these times are difficult for the BBC, but they get through them. We will get through it… we will thrive."
Owning the Narrative and Fighting for Journalism
Mr Davie directly addressed the political fallout, noting that the BBC's leadership downfall had been met with glee by some on the right. He urged staff to seize control of the story, asserting that "this narrative will not just be given by our enemies."
He described the BBC as a "unique and precious" institution and highlighted the increasing pressure on a free press. "I see the weaponisation. I think we've got to fight for our journalism," he told employees, while also claiming that trust in the organisation had "actually grown."
The Reasons Behind the Resignation Decision
Mr Davie outlined three key reasons for his decision to step down. The first was personal, describing the role as "pretty relentless" and stating he needed to reflect on his own life.
Secondly, he pointed to the upcoming once-in-a-decade charter renewal, with the current charter running until 31 December 2027. He believed it made sense to give his successor a "runway" into this critical period.
Finally, he directly addressed the Panorama edit, admitting, "I think we did make a mistake, and there was an editorial breach, and I think some responsibility had to be taken." He confirmed he would remain in post until a successor is appointed.
BBC chairman Samir Shah, who was also on the call, dismissed speculation of a boardroom coup, stating "I don't believe in conspiracy theories." He acknowledged the board's challenging role in balancing support for executives with holding them to account, a tension that had become clear in the preceding week.
