BBC hits back at Trump’s $1billion legal threat in furious response – ‘We’ll fight this’ | UK | News
BBC chief Samir Shah has hit back at Donald Trump’s legal threat, vowing that the broadcaster will “fight” the US President’s libel claim. The American president said he would still sue the company, even though it apologized for editing a speech given before the attack on the US Capitol.
The BBC claims the editing of Mr Trump’s speech on January 6, 2021 gave the “incorrect impression that President Trump was directly calling for violent action”. The license-fee-funded broadcaster apologized and said the inclusion of the speech was an “error of judgement” but refused to pay financial compensation after the US president’s lawyers threatened to sue for a billion dollars unless the retraction and apology were published.
In a memo to staff, Mr Shah said: “Much is being written, said and speculated about the possibility of legal action, including potential costs or settlements.
The note continued: “In all this, of course, we are acutely aware of the privilege of our finances and the need to protect our license fee payers, the British public,” the PA news agency reported.
“I want to be very clear with you; our position has not changed. The defamation case has no basis and we are determined to fight it.
“I had the opportunity to speak to the Executive team last week and was reassured that they are firmly focused on ensuring the BBC continues to broadcast on behalf of audiences and staff.
“I know they plan to spend as much time as possible with their team in the coming weeks to reinforce the importance of this work and answer your questions.”
In an interview published on GB News on Saturday, Mr Trump said he had an “obligation” to sue the BBC, adding: “It was terrible. If you don’t do it, you can’t stop the same thing from happening to other people.”
Mr. Trump also said the lawsuit would likely be filed “somewhere in the United States.”
The Panorama scandal led to the resignation of two of the BBC’s most senior executives: director general Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness.
The BBC has said that the Panorama episode Trump: Second Chance will not be broadcast. again and posted a retraction on the show’s webpage on Thursday.
