BBC star Nick Robinson says ‘these are not normal times’ during R4 monologue accusing broadcaster of paralysis over Panorama scandal that led Tim Davie and Deborah Turness to quit

Presenter Nick Robinson accused the BBC of being paralyzed by the Panorama scandal, which led to the resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness.

The Radio 4 presenter delivered a monologue on the Today program this morning, sharing his thoughts and observations on the controversy that has rocked the BBC, leaving the company searching for replacements for its two most senior positions.

BBC News’ chief executive, Mr Davie, and its chief executive, Ms Turness, sensationally resigned amid an impartiality row after an internal report accused it of institutional bias and censorship.

The controversy began over an edition of the flagship current affairs program Panorama in which two clips of Donald Trump’s speech were stitched together despite being said an hour apart.

In an episode of Trump: A Second Chance? Focusing on the Capitol Hill riots on January 6, the film showed Trump telling his supporters that he would march to the Capitol with them to “fight like hell,” when what he actually said was that he would march with them to “peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

Concerns about the documentary were raised by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s broadcasting standards committee.

Last night President Trump called the broadcaster ‘a terrible thing for democracy’ and said ‘corrupt journalists’ had been exposed.

Mr Robinson, one of the BBC’s top earners, said in his monologue this morning that these were “not normal times” for the broadcaster, detailing inside scenes this week.

He said: ‘Since rumors of his resignation emerged I have been trying to piece together the events that led to this crisis.

‘The BBC’s top brass appeared paralyzed last week, unable to agree on what to say; not just about the regulation of speech, but also about broader allegations of institutional bias.

‘A source has described discussions since the Telegraph leaked a memo from a former adviser to the BBC Board as “like a gunfight”; Another claimed “political interference” following what they described as a “hostile takeover” of parts of the BBC.’

The presenter said a statement prepared last week by BBC News executives, the journalists who run the news division, was intended to apologize for the mistake.

He said they agreed on a statement saying that ‘it was a mistake to edit together two different parts of President Trump’s speech on the day of the Capitol Hill riots without clearly signaling to viewers that the edit had been made.’

Robinson added that it would be said, ‘Despite this mistake, there was no intention to mislead the audience.’

The BBC Board of Directors has refused to sign the statement and has yet to issue a statement on Trump’s speech.

This was a report leaked by Michael Prescott, a former advisor to the company’s editorial watchdog, that eventually led to the chief executive’s dismissal.

Chief executive Tim Davie left the BBC last night after five years in the company’s most senior role

In a 19-page document, he accused the company of rigging a speech by Mr. Trump and censoring discussion of transgender issues and said its Gaza coverage was biased.

However, the BBC has still not published a statement responding to the allegations in the leaked document.

Robinson added: ‘The row that has gripped the BBC board has ensured neither defending itself nor admitting its mistakes in the long days following the leak of the Prescott dossier alleging institutional bias.

‘As criticism mounts from the White House, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and many others, the BBC has only said it will not comment on the leaked documents, while promising to respond in writing to MPs on chairman Samir Shah’s culture, media and sport select committee.’

Mr Robinson then singled out board member Sir Robbie Gibb for his views that the BBC had a problem with institutional bias.

He added: ‘The majority of the BBC board appear to agree with editorial advisers that an institutional problem of bias is reflected in coverage not just of Donald Trump, but of Gaza and Israel, as well as Trans rights.

‘This argument was driven by one board member in particular; Sir Robbie Gibb, a former BBC executive in charge of political programs who was Prime Minister Theresa May’s Downing Street Communications Director, was one of the people involved in the founding of GB News, and is a supporter of the Conservative Party.

‘Sir Robbie’s friends insist he has consistently and consistently backed Tim Davie as director and wants him to stay.’

Donald Trump condemns ‘corrupt’ BBC for tearing down director-general Tim Davie last night

Robinson revealed that the debate continued to paralyze the BBC this week, with board members still unable to agree on the statement promised by chairman Samir Shah.

He said the statement could finally be released this morning.

Finally, Robinson told the audience: ‘In 2024, when the Panorama movie was released, there were no complaints about the editing of Donald Trump’s speech.’

Mr Davie’s resignation brings to an end a 20-year career at the BBC, where he rose to the position of director of marketing, communications and audiences.

Since taking the top job in 2020, the company has faced multiple crises, including the prosecution of newsreader Huw Edwards for possessing indecent images of children, the sacking of MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode, and Bob Vylan’s broadcast performance at Glastonbury with the lead singer chanting ‘death to the IDF’.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday night, US President Donald Trump wrote: ‘The TOP people at the BBC are resigning/fired, including TIM DAVIE and THE BOSS, because they were caught ‘altering’ my very good (EXCELLENT!) speech on January 6th.

‘These are very dishonorable people who are trying to weigh in on the scales of the Presidential election. After all, they come from a Foreign Land that many consider our Number One Ally. ‘What a terrible thing for democracy!’

He also shared a Daily Mail column from Boris Johnson in which the former Prime Minister promised not to pay the license fee unless Mr Davie broke his silence about the incident or resigned.

Deborah Turness (pictured in January 2023), chief executive of BBC News, also resigned

Mr Davie said he wanted to hand over the role to a new director general ahead of Royal Charter renewal negotiations with the Government, which will decide on the broadcaster’s future funding model.

In a memo to staff on Sunday, he said: ‘Like all public institutions, the BBC is not perfect and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not the sole reason, the current debate around BBC News understandably contributed to my decision.

‘The BBC is performing well overall but some mistakes have been made and as director general I must take ultimate responsibility.’

BBC chief Mr Shah said: ‘This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding managing director over the last five years. He had the full support of me and the board of directors from beginning to end. However, I understand that the ongoing pressure on him personally and professionally led him to make this decision. The entire board respects the decision and its reasons.’

Ms Turness, who was poached from ITN by Mr Davie three years ago, told staff: ‘The ongoing debate around Panorama regarding President Trump has reached a stage where it is damaging to the BBC, an institution I love. In public life, leaders need to be fully accountable, and that’s why I’m resigning.

‘While mistakes have been made, I would like to make clear that recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are false.’