Live updates: Reaction as BBC director-general Tim Davie resigns alongside CEO of news after Trumps speech doctored

Tim Davie has dramatically resigned as director-general of the BBC following a backlash over the doctoring of a Donald Trump speech.

Tim Davie has dramatically resigned as director-general of the BBC following a backlash over the doctoring of a Donald Trump speech.

The corporations CEO of News, Deborah Turness, also stepped down amid criticism viewers had been misled.

This evening Mr Davie admitted he had to take responsibility and that mistakes had been made after the documentary, Trump: A second Chance? was broadcast - prompting the Whitehouse to accuse the BBC of 100 per cent fake news.

Politicians and corporation staff have now reacted to Mr Davies departure, with some offering their full support for the former BBC chief and others greeting the announcement as good news. 

18:57

Lisa Nandy: BBC board must adapt to 'new era'

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 14: Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy leaves Downing Street after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, United Kingdom on October 14, 2025. (Photo by Rasid Necati Aslim/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has suggested the BBC must 'adapt to this new era' to secure its role 'at the heart of national life for decades to come.

The Labour minister said in a statement:

I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years.
He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.'
Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.
As a government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come.'
18:52

One 'mistake' too many?

The resignation of Mr Davie - alongside the corporation's CEO of News, Deborah Turness - follow an internal dossier this week exposing a string of incidents that demonstrated serious apparent bias in the BBC's reporting.

A newsroom revolt had also recently taken place after a newsreader who corrected 'pregnant people' to 'women' while live on air was rebuked.

And the BBC has also faced fierce criticism for its coverage of the Israel-Gaza war and transgender rights.

The dossier, written by former journalist Michael Prescott and sent to the BBC board, raised serious concerns about BBC Arabic's reporting on Gaza.

18:46

Tim Davie's statement in full

A statement was released tonight in which Mr Davie admitted 'mistakes' had been made.

'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.

(FILE PHOTO) EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - APRIL 23: Director General of the BBC, Tim Davie, attends the SNP weekly group meeting at the Scottish Parliament on April 23, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

18:40

Welcome to our live blog

Good evening and welcome to the Daily Mail's live blog as we follow reaction to the dramatic resignation of the BBC's Director General Tim Davie.